@Samuel Fletcher Hardy - Sounds like you're excited, and that's awesome! You have a great plan, you're about to be househacking with the multi-family, and that's gonna set you up for even greater opportunities in time.
Time is the thing here. I get impatient too! You may be like me, and you see the path ahead and are so psyched about the potential that you want to sprint to that next goal. This is a marathon though. You're in that place where you have that sprint energy, but need to be calm so you're ready for the marathon.
Ok, now that the mental stuff is addressed, let's talk market stuff. With interest rates at historic lows you're buying at a great time. Global economic indicators suggest it's a good time to prepare for a cash position to buy, which again means you're in a great position. Be savvy and patient. There are good deals out there now, and they're not going anywhere. If I can predict anything, it's that in the next 12 months, there's going to be even better opportunities to buy. Get that rental going, and your investments in the South will be ready when you are. Control the pace of your investments, don't let your investments control you.