If I move forward, I plan to hire a top-tier inspector and specifically flag the basement work as a concern.

Pete.If you’re planning another multi next year, definitely use that W2 while you’ve got it — HUGE advantage before you retire out of the Marine Corps.

I would advise you to wait for prices to drop, or wait and see what the vacancy #'s are in 8 months from now in these areas specifically bc of the amount of saturation. 

I own a home - my primary residence- in Seattle and plan on developing the back portion into couple/several units. 

Hire a financial planner to get professional advice tailored to your specific situation.

When you start stacking projects, I like a hybrid: separate, deal-specific loans for each property to keep books clean and exits flexible, plus a revolving line of credit as your shock absorber for earnest money, draws, and surprises.

I see the tab up the top, but not sure how to specifically find one for Scranton / NEPA

If you plan to hold long term, separate utilities and go heat pumps for the new units: they provide heating, cooling, and dehumidification for the basement, play well with tenant-paid electricity, and the rebate lowers your net cost.

Regarding the DFW market, specific numbers are challenging to pin down.

That's what I'm thinking of @Cara Pennington Do you have a plan on how to finance such an acquisition?