If I was starting from scratch, I would buy a duplex/triplex/quadplex, live in the crappiest unit and rent the others out.

The Creative Investor Meetup is designed for beginning to advanced investors who would like additional strategies when constructing deals.All aspects of real estate investing will be covered including (but not limited to) - Wholesaling, Flipping, Buy and Hold and Commercial with an emphasis on Creative Financing.

Rather than just spending the money on a rate buy down. 

I've also had guests buy their own TP and trash bags and leave the extra.As for toiletries, I leave the traditional "Starter Set" of shampoo, a little bar soap, conditioner, and lotion  (the tiny hotel bottles). 

What area are you looking to buy in?

Absolutely, the passive income from owning rentals is great but I also love getting into big projects and seeing the transformation from start to finish@David Jesperson What city/market are you looking to buy and what type of properties are you looking for, SF, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF?

I think having a balanced budget would be ideal where you allocate money into buying another property and money set aside for renovations.

The process of buying real estate with crypto through a private seller will vary from seller to seller.

The area has certain advantages like shelter from regulation risk (pretty much as low as anywhere in the country if you buy in the approved STR tourist zones) and long term security (people aren't going to stop going to Orlando anytime soon). 

We mostly buy houses from out of state and are aware of it's challenges but many investors have done successfully, so it can be done.