@Tal Barazani if you're looking for a lender that has many options with regard to excellent rates for investment properties in the TX area, @Tal Barazani feel free to reach out. 

I'm paying cash and currently in the options period and going to talk with the title company on Monday.

You also have TN, FL, NV, GA, AL offering great STR and LTR options with reasonable price points.

I hated it so much that when they offered to keep me in my unit (which meant no chance of going to Iraq or Afghanistan), I turned it down and chose the combat zone options instead. 

Consider FHA loans, conventional loans, and alternative financing options.

@Garrett Brown you’ve got a lot of options, but it sounds like cash flow is a top concern.

@Isaac S. so you know what the options are once a DST matures?

Does anyone have any ideas on how to minimize that tax liability and still continue with my original intent, or is my only option a 1031 (I'm aware of DST but don't see that as a great option).  

Thanks @Michael Baum@John Underwood , will consider both options , definitely the extension is nice revenue

This will help direct your search to the right areas, property types and price point.If you're purchasing all-cash, skip that step.Depending on your goal and preferred timeline for closing, the majority of your time should be spent searching for and analyzing deals.Searching: Look at public listing sites; connect with an investor friendly agent and choose 1 to work with who can search MLS and off-market inventory; for additional off-market options, consider growing your own database of wholesalers and homeowners Analyzing: Your agent can send comps and you can also search public listing sites for sold homes.