If you have a primary residence you can get a HELOC for the down payment.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

Currently own a 2 unit as my family primary resident (current not rented, temporarily reverted single family).

Investment Info:Single-family residence other investment.

My personal residence I think I am going to try and and turn it into an STR and see if I am able to keep it over the next few years. 

With out of state investing you do not have the option to move into your next home as a primary residence to get a lower interest rate (it is a significant difference) and put a lower down payment (as low as 3.5-5% on a primary residence vs 10% minimum on a second home or 20% minimum on an investment property). 

A friend of mine had a landscaper randomly do work on their property while they were out of town without being hired.

I'm a former CA resident from the south end of the state and now I'm in the Reno, NV market.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

When the time comes, if Texas is too far or expensive - don't forget about the Scranton market - that's a hot spot where a ton of NJ / NY residents to start buying affordable rentals.