May or may not work because everything is negotiable, but it's worth a shot.Maybe prices are a lot higher up there, but I spend about $550 for a full inspection and wood destroying insect report and then do additional inspections if I feel the need to.

Additionally, the beach is still within reach...just a short 1 hour flight or 6 hour drive.  

In short, I can afford the additional $1100/mo cost of a second house, even until I rent it out.I have around $35K in HYSA and emergency funds that I could use for a down payment, but that's less than 20% which would be required for a conventional loan, assuming full purchase price.

Additionally, the fact you might be negative cash flow in Texas will give you more flexibility by renting in Portland.  

You're also able to work with the utility company to install an additional meter.

The additions are usually small.Buy focusing on real high value places, you are putting yourself in a narrower guest pool.

In 30 years the balloon payment is due to the seller and that's when the taxes are due.Coupling a monetization loan to an installment sale accomplishes the same thing but puts cash in the sellers hands that can be re-invested.

JobsOhio projects that, indirectly, approximately 4,500 additional jobs will be created by 2035, further amplifying this effect.Implications for Real Estate DemandThe substantial increase in the workforce will drive demand for both rental and owner-occupied housing.

The hard money 10% plus additional thousands in closing costs was too much to swallow. 

Additionally, I am beginning to believe you don't live there to be the "house monitor" as this seems to be going on for a time period.