While the borrowing costs are higher, I’m exploring strategies where the returns could offset this.

Depending on what the potential jobs offer in terms of income, does this seem like a realistic strategy?

This in turn will kill your exit strategy if you are not doing your due diligence and playing conservative.

I realize I am not cut out for the entire REI process of consistently finding multiple properties for particular exit strategies. 

I did it a few times and used Section 8 as part of my strategy.

We still find buyers (and renters) that like open to a degree but want / need the office space for remote or hybrid work arrangements.When dealing with a market that does not have huge spreads on properties, one needs to define what is really important versus what is nice to have and see if the math works. 

Tools like the BiggerPockets calculator and books like The House Hacking Strategy can guide you further.

I've seen a few hundred dollars for lease renewals versus they may charge a month's rent to find a tenant and you are reducing the risk of having a bad tenant with the turnover.

There are often local Facebook groups for specific strategies 

I don't believe "waiting it out" is an effective strategy.