You're probably looking in the $400- $500k range.

We were super lucky to have hit relatively low rates (15-year 2%-3% range) that we would not see again today.The Dallas property is now rented, giving a almost zero cash flow over a 15-year fixed mortgage, until the recent HOA increase pushed it into the negative side slightly.

(You can't move earlier than a year and get another primary residence.)If you buy a 4br in the $500k range and put 5% down, that's likely $3300/mo or so.

As such, there's a wide range of quality in Martis and probably a range in $/sf.  -$600/sf houses (or even $400/sf) are definitely not out of the equation. 

Also, I've added about $250 to my monthly costs to cover utilities.Looking on Furnished Finder, I do see plenty of places in my approximate price range, so I thought my target (average of $1100/room) was competitive and reasonable.

To give some context, my budget is around $300K, so any recommendations within that range would be especially helpful.Looking forward to your advice and suggestions!

If the second property you are buying is not turnkey, will require some work, and there is a clear value/range of what you can bring the property to by adding value then you can refinance to pay back the majority if not all of your HELOC (used for downpayment or to buy the property completely).You'll need to know how to analyze an after repair value of the property to figure out if that technique can work or not.

I have been in the 70% range before. 

I moved from Florida to start investing in Columbus because of the same reason.https://www.zillow.com/learn/hottest-housing-markets-2024/The markets here in Ohio range.

Building housing is subject to a significant array of regulatory costs, including a broad range of fees, permits, reviews, and other requirements imposed at different stages of the development and the construction process, with both a direct cost and a time/delay cost.