Ive never explored any other banks or credit union as you suggest.

I'd recommend listening to every podcast you can, it's really helped me evolve in my plans and helped me understand different facets to better understand what will help me get started, where I want to be going, and other options I might want to explore as I go along this journey.

Explore.

So if it's worth $350k in it's current state,  you could receive a cash out loan of $245,000 minus your $170,000 so about $70,000 to you.These are all ideas to explore but I feel that the right expectation for you to have is to only find a first lien solution here.Bigger Pockets does have state specific forums. 

I have a 800+ credit score and I'm trying to explore options on how to avoid PMI. 

I have a 800+ credit score and I'm trying to explore options on how to avoid PMI. 

I am in the process of exploring other options for Dallas, including self managing those. 

Videos, podcasts, articles, online course modules, webinars, forums...explore that Education tab.

My fiance and I are currently exploring house hacking opportunities in Chicago.

I would get my side hustles going, get my spending down as low as possible, get my credit score as high as I could, and try to get some real experience by working with/getting to know experienced guys in the market/business type that I am interested in exploring.