I house hacked then rented it out after a year.

It's a 3 bedroom house and we plan to use technology such as a smart lock, WIFI exterior cameras, and a smart thermostat.

If you want less leverage simply put down the funds you would use to pay down the 6.4% rate on the new property so you are at say 60% loan to value on the new house.

And you don’t have to pay it back when you sell, you do an exchange.

Buy a $15 blender at Walmart, and they'll try to sell you an extended warranty.

Or once I finish building the house and get the C.O.?

If you own it 50/50 you still have to 'sell' them on your new fence idea.

The first thing I ask is why am I Buying the property.I always look at the exit strategy first, is it going to be a rental, a lease option sell, am I planning on living in it.

It would be like if someone prepared to sell by painting to create fresh visual interest, but chose fuscia and lime green...those colors would certainly catch the eye but I'd never claim that they overdid the curb appeal by painting with too much visual interest.

Nobody in their right mind would sell at such because they simply don't have to, there is no shortage of buyers happy to out bid your desired landing.