I suggest checking the area in person and meeting potential future team members like property managers , contractors, lender, and etc is a good way to get into the right neighborhoods.

Since the first applicant in line was chosen, I wanted to let them know that the specific unit they applied for isn't available, but we may have another unit coming up in the near future.

Do I keep it and rent it out, and revisit in the future while prices keep escalating, or sell it now before they possibly drop?

Keep analyzing, love the house hack idea but definitely include that in your potential rent in case you decide to move out, have both scenarios and see what works for both now and in the future.

There is some great potential you can do with Wholeselling that educates you on future Real-Estate deals (especially on analyzing properties).

As a recommendation for the future, I would attend a private lending convention.

I'd like to try to take advantage of the possible shift if the trend continues. 

It’s a slow process but potentially could snowball into something great for securing my family’s future.

., know that tenant cannot authorize work, only provide access, and that I will make myself available by phone/text/email, whatever they prefer, to discuss options while there to avoid future service calls if possible. 

I think right now the neighborhood is more of a renter community right now, but in the future these houses or duplexes could be sold for way more than it cost to build them.