I am thrilled to be a newly licensed agent at such a vibrant time for the Austin housing market. 

We went with the former and we're thrilled!

My wife and I are thrilled to get started in REI.Our goal is to invest in small-multi family and single family homes for a buy and hold investment strategy.

Priced too high, rents are too low and investors do not want to gamble loosing a tenant right away, the leases are wonky or maybe there are bigger issues (Estate, Something wrong with the property etc).  

Appreciation is a bit of a gamble, can swing wildly up or down, and doesn't pay off until you sell the property.

If you use $40k to take a trip to Vegas and gamble your money away, then I would go with $300/mo. 

More than likely a potential for more profit, but must put in landscaping and fencing, maybe $40k.If the goal is to make as much money as possible in order to have a big down payment on the future CA build, should we stay where we're at given the capital gains hit, or take the gamble of hoping the other house gets us a bigger profit margin?

It is pure gambling at that point at the cost of your money. 

I am thrilled to have been able to purchase this property and ready to make it a success. 

We have had great success next door and are thrilled about this project.