The only change I have is I'm a little bear-ish on Lubbock overall - its a very linear market that doesn't have a ton of "job pull" like other markets have (tech/aerospace).

Not much industry for decent jobs.

Also, the ability to export reports for partners or lenders would be a plus.Essential Data/Analytics: Reliable rent estimates, cap rates, cash-on-cash return, operating expenses (especially maintenance and CapEx), and local market trends like population growth or job market health are key for decision-making

Though fee schedules vary by company, generally speaking, you'll pay more up front for checkbook control and less over time, since the full custodial companies will have transaction fees not to mention the red tape of going through the custodian for all transactions. 

My best  success seems to come from tenants that go to a job where they work for a company.

Assuming it will be Single Member LLC (you as a member/manager), it will come back on your schedule E anyway, so only thing you loose is $800 in california and bit more of paperwork but that preps you for future.Note - this is a very high level advise and mostly a personal preference. 

The easiest and straight forward option would be, as you said, to sell the current residence, payoff the HELOC (or most of it) and then get back to saving with your jobs and the rental cashflow.

Hey Rich,I'm only at 21 units (closing on another 4 next month), but I work a full-time job and also got my real estate license this year, so my plate's pretty full. 

The important part of investing is the calculations of a deal, having capital, and a W2 job that will help you get loans.

Now we're seeing incredible population and job growth and major companies moving and developing here like Intel and Amazon - great macroeconomics and strong rental demand.