I have been told to stay away from lease options in Texas.

@Kwanza Price - Syndications are a great options and even some QOZs. 

Since you want to aggressively invest in the near future, you will need cash and the 30 year option is the right one for you.

I do single family "off market" that I take over with owner financing, subject to, wraps and lease options.

I recommend that you find a trusted or recommended Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO), who can give you options for property-based loans (mostly investment loans) and they don't use your taxes but the P&L of the property.

Happy to chat through some options.

Your best option would be to refinance your loan (if any) and get a construction loan for the improvements.

I have two options.

The first option will give you continuous headaches with a certain likelihood that the behavior may get worse (not paying at all and more damage).

And if it were set up where everything went through a title company so the buyer pays the title company, they manage the buyer's loan (from me), and the title company ensures my mortgage is paid without my direct involvement... what parts of the transaction would feel risky or not worth the headache to you?