Short term, leaving financing in place during rehab prior to resale — great strategy with limited risk to either party. 

Are there specific qualities or terms you look for that make the relationship a good fit for your investment strategy?

Like a calculator to simulate this strategy (https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/61/topics/795487-retire...), maybe showing how much equity could be pulled out of which property when, whether the portfolio would still cash flow, etc.

While the borrowing costs are higher, I’m exploring strategies where the returns could offset this.

Leveraging equity does involve some risk, so it's important to have a sound strategy to avoid overextending yourself.

you may have to save up until you have enough money to do so - down payment, closing costs, reserves, etc.House Hacking: What Is It, How to Start, and Strategies for Successit's a more powerful way to get started. 

Buying in your backyard eliminates so much for you.What strategy do want to follow?   

But presuming you are talking about doing the above, this is a high risk strategy.

Andrew will give you some great guidance on investing in Texas regardless of your exit strategy.

I have thoroughly researched many of the creative financing strategies (subto, wraps, assumable mortgages, and etc).