"Best" means different things to different people and Philly is filled with MANY neighborhoods to choose from.

I personally hear from tons of people who think the market will come down, due to the struggling middle class and the fact that it will get worse.

@Joseph DaviniI agreeBut I wonder where all the “housing shortage” folks and “interest rates coming down prices will double” people are?

Crazy idea - How about asking your tax professional instead of a bunch of people on this blog that have no clue about if you qualify for RE professional status?

Also, you will pay ordinary income tax on whatever gets distributed to you from the inherited IRA, so the $100,000 you are talking about "pulling out" from the inherited IRA (assuming you mean as a distribution) will be taxable ordinary income this year.However, you do have the option to invest the inherited IRA in real estate with a self-directed (inherited) IRA.

You might also be able to employ a short term rental strategy to increase cashflow-- sporting events, conferences, homecomings, graduation, etc. always attract people to the area.Ask around and try to find people who are investing in Amherst/Northampton and connect with agents in the area to see what's working.

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

@Jessica DiPonziano I moved to a small community 2400 people in the summer, probably 30,000 people in a 45 mile radius 28 years ago.

Let's assume this location has more than average appreciation but not very promising of big jump.

@Dave Ivery New people can and should buy RE but the ROI is less.