Additionally, we have a decent amount invested in retirement accounts, which we plan to continue building over time.As part of the move, we’ll be purchasing a larger home.

To defer all tax you must purchase in total at least as much as your net sale.

Quote from @Jaren Taylor: Quote from @Stuart Udis: Depending on the transaction sizes you are pursuing, raising money to purchase property without debt requires either an incredible network of relationships or devoting a lot of time and effort to raising money.

Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I have helped many new investors purchase their first property in Memphis and LIT.

The purchase contract makes the buyer legally responsible for the loan. 

I’m looking to raise $160,000 to cover the purchase, renovation, and activation of this new Airbnb property.

Are you purchasing as investment? 

I've got about $525K in equity in the property, but lenders have told me that I cannot get a HELOC to access that equity for additional purchases because the duplex was financed as an investment - they have said TX law dictates that HELOC can only be used on primary residences.

That was an excellent non-answer to my question, Skyler. hihi :)No they are not all the same. some are only interested in dealing with conventional purchases other are as you say better at handling assignments or double closes, some are commercial specialty, etc....A investor friendly one would be, at least from my point of view, one that understands there may need to be some last minute wheeling, dealing, and adjustment made to close a deal, understand what needs to be done and do not freak out about creative deals.Maybe my understanding or thoughts are wrong but that's what I meant by investor friendlyregards :)