(for example, before me moved in the house in 2021, we were renting an outdated 2bd apartment across the street for 4 yrs, apartment complex amenities were in a very bad shape (unusable), and we were paying about $1,600/mo and they were about to increase it to $1,850/$1,900.

That would be depend on how much cashflow you can generate from your primary as a rental versus what an apartment will cost you.

Someone comes in with money the apartment is theirs. 

Hello BP,I had the opportunity to start my REI journey by buying a Co-Op apartment close to the beach a few months ago.

I am in the Houston area and my primary goal is to become financially free and look to enjoy more quality time with my family as I do want to move away from the day to day desk job.

I could get an apartment but I think house hacking would be more worth while. any tips and insight as to get started quickly or should I rent an apartment for a year so I have more time to plan?

You'll quickly narrow your search based upon what's feasible and a part of town where you want to be. 

Apartments in Connecticut have a 95.6% occupancy rate and stay on the market for just 37 days—making it one of the most competitive rental markets around!

<<Space shuttle blows up>>Houston: " Pick 7 more astronauts, put them in that rocket and send an other one up. 

(I've seen a lot of groups choose this structure)4) Become a part of the issuer (GP-side)I do not want to give other syndicators access to my investor database, so Number 3 seems like the best move.