Buy retirement home now?

[Account Closed]

My husband & I have been discussing and weighing the following two options below for a few weeks now and I'd like some fresh takes from you. 

Some details about us:

- Currently live in queens, ny.

- Plan to relocate to Raleigh area when we retire. We have very close family in Apex.

- Upon retiring, we want to reduce our expenses and improve quality of life - after visiting and loving Raleigh area for the last 10 years, we believe it will be the most beneficial move. If we retire on $2m, that $2m will go a much longer way down in Raleigh than in NY. 

- We have not relocated there as a working couple because I am in the fashion industry (tough to transfer skill set - fashion is mostly east or west coast). My husband has his own IT biz here in NY (he will most likely lose most, if not all, his clients if we move now because he very often needs to be on site). In total, we make $300k annually and make it through in NY ok, nothing more. If we move, I will have to shift my career to a different industry altogether and start anew and he will have to build his biz anew or get a corporate job (at least to start with). If so, our income will probably drop half to $150k, which we are not comfortable with. Long story short, we don't feel relocating now is really an option due to our careers, at the moment.

Targeting Wake Forest or Northwest Raleigh (NEED to be close to big park! Umstead! Bond! Etc.). 

Currently, we have $70k to spend. We save $30-40k cash each year. So by end of next year, we will have $100k to spend. We could increase cash savings, but we also like to max out the 401ks and IRAs also. 

Here are our two options:

1. purchase our retirement home now (meaning within next year or so). Rent out until retirement. Move in when retirement time comes. Probably break even here with no or minimal cash flow. Benefit here is knowing we have our ideal future home in a great area. Will be 3+/2+, 2k sq ft, ~1 acre.

2. Purchase a couple of homes that we won't retire into, but will cash flow better. Sell later to fund purchase of retirement home. 

Both options will be traditionally financed. 20% down, 30 yrs fixed, etc.

I realize I am asking the opinion of investors, so most likely, your take will be #2 because it provides more return for the money. Curious if any of you will choose #1 and why?

I hope I've provided enough info - very lengthy post. If not info., just ask!

Let's hear it!

Much appreciated!

Betty