It also covers lots of real estate stuff that's not specific to long-distance investing.Saving $26k in a few years is a real accomplishment, and you deserve to make use of it now, not in 3 years.

@Pete Abilla, the easiest conclusion to draw is that the glut of housing inventory in the donating (departing) metros will lead to longer times on market and lower prices (buyer's market) while the receiving (arriving) metros will have shorter times on market and higher prices (seller's market).

Most places quote 3 months to allow for the 1 month in escrow.679 v 680 is a big cutoff for a lot of stuff. 

Water heaters, dampness, foundation issues, control panels, the pricey stuff will show itself.

@Mike Jacovelli I definitely don't love sharing my goals personally.I'm not saying its right or wrong but I don't like giving myself the satisfaction of talking about stuff I haven't done yet.

Also to sweeten the deal, I planned on telling him to take what he wants and I’ll empty out the house (he is 70 and his son is about 45 so I can see this being appealing-the house is loaded with stuff).

I am certainly not endorsing this as something I would personally necessarily support, it's just the way stuff like this has panned out in the past... we have a Supreme Court that for over two centuries has acted wildly beyond their explicit constitutional mandate [sometimes in really beneficial ways], we have a Fed, etc.

I know I have a lot more to learn but I don't want to waste time and feel I should take action pretty soon.I started building credit already and I read/listen to real estate related stuff everyday.

@Spiro PapaGreat stuff!

This works in my market as most people book 6+ months in advance, so the final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival.