There is so much that goes into buying an STR, especially your first one.

-With my current role in my career and trajectory, I will be able to make the move out of midland in 1-2 years, so I would love the ability to leave and not worry about my home sitting on the market when we are trying to buy a home in Austin.Those are some of my thoughts and I would love to understand the reasoning for/ against this.

You don't have to buy a 4 plex in order to advance.

I would focus on systemizing property management as much as possible so adding more units becomes easier over time.If your goal is to buy one property a year, then stick to your pace.

I'm open to either approach but I'm leaning more towards buying something that I can live in for a short time while I fix it up/renovate it and then move out and set it up as a long term rental and move on to the next property. 

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

I said they would pause and they went full steam ahead, albeit with a small .25% cut.

Buying a second home for short-term rentals can be a smart move (especially in a vacation hotspot like West Palm Beach), but there are key factors to consider.

If I bought what you are looking at, I would only buy it at a price in which is in line with how it is permitted. 

Quote from @Skip A Schenker: Investment Info:Large multi-family (5+ units) buy & hold investment.