The rental demand in the area has been consistent, and duplexes offer the flexibility of house hacking or scaling into multi-family investing over time.With your experience in construction and remodeling, you’re already ahead of the game—fix-and-flips or BRRRR projects in Kansas City could be a perfect fit for you. 

Cash flow is possible if you are flexible.

A revocable trust offers excellent estate planning benefits but provides limited liability protection and no tax advantages, while irrevocable trusts provide stronger protection but less flexibility.

However, some community banks and credit unions may offer more flexible terms.Best of luck!

Financing can make a big difference, and local lenders who understand house hacking and multi-family investing can sometimes offer more flexibility than big banks.

I am sure you want the financial freedom and flexibility real estate provides.

Another idea to consider is the FHA 203K renovation mortgage, this is another excellent tool to use because of flexibility and other worthwhile features you might consider researching.

I work from home and my hours are very flexible, so I can do all these "busy" activities on my listings. 

House hacking can work with an FHA loan, as rental income from other units might help you qualify, but be sure to consult with a lender or mortgage broker to explore flexible options based on your unique situation.Good luck!

Paying the balance down on it also gives me the flexibility to refi to a lower payment, which will help with cash flow if we decide to rent it.