Tenants don't really realize on the west coast it is MUCH cheaper to rent than to own.

So.. if you accountant finds ever single expense/deduction to throw in your tax return to reduce you taxable income, most people appreciate it. 

Are their cheaper options?

Thanks Remember: cheaper doesn't mean you'll make more money.Start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers.

You could cash out, buy a cheaper house using just 1/4th of that money (financed) and have options with how you utilize the rest of those funds.  

But no more than 1 purchase a year, so it could be a SFH I buy to do STR or Student Housing or a multi-family in a cheaper market.

Talk to an attorney, but a good umbrella policy will probably be sufficient for what you're doing (and cheaper). 

Like I said though, I'm not very familiar with that area, I just see the listings come up and they're much cheaper than lower Bucks.Duplexes are pretty hard to come by because they get bought up so fast.

Modular does not mean cheaper.

Your rate is usually cheaper and your closing costs are negligible when taking out a HELOC.