Eliminate transaction fees2.

Who else would have the knowledge to lead others than a 33 year old former football player; who wrote a book that is being hocked by Bigger Pockets.Maybe you can get Nails (Lenny Dykstra) to write a book that BP can sponsor? 

We plan to spend the next 6-12 months continuing to earn and save, as well as nail down a final market we want to househack in.

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

You could trim your expenses by eliminating property management - you can absolutely do this yourself on a 6-unit, even as a newbie.

@Robert Gorra - I've had a similar experience where I've had a really hard time with getting GC's to even give me an estimate, and the few that have have been way overpriced (ie, they want me to put in $20k of cabinets in a budget flip) or have had their prices go up by about 40% and still not give me a firm price when I try to nail down the scope of work.

I would not eliminate OKÇ based on tornadoes, that is why you carry insurance.It will very difficult to find something in Austin that fits your budget.  

I learned about the city over time and began my out-of-state investing journey.Whatever market you choose, be sure to nail down your buy box.

Plus very few of these groups smoke or drink so that's other problems eliminated.  

Years go by and eventually Grandpa gets tired of fixing porches, nailing gutters and steam cleaning carpets that 'have a couple more years in them.