If you’re comfortable with a bigger investment, a duplex is good for the benefit of additional cash flow and you could house-hack.

Going on three years of being worthwhile.Share in the comments if you love your company's environment too!

would you fund the OP at 75% in this environment?

Everyone will tell you it’s great to get started early, or you can just move after a year, but in the current environment in our region the rent your property will generate after you move out will likely be less than your mortgage, if you are tied to the area and feel confident you want to stay in whatever property you buy for 3-5 years go for it, if you want flexibility rent and throw that money into and index fund. 

Vet potential partners carefully and aim for relationships that can grow with your portfolio.In this higher interest rate environment, focus on cash flow and creative financing options like the HomeStyle rehab loan or seller financing.

In todays environment some syndicators might be pushing out into more B- to C areas to find properties in overheated markets so the risk/reward ratio might not be as good as in the past.Not talking about Brian's deals just in generalities.  

No - absolute max for DSCR is 85% LTV and that is extremely rare and typically not workable in this rate environment anyways.Standard/common max is 80% (acquisition and rate-term refinances) and 75% Cash-Out Refis

Leveraging a property in todays environment of high interest rates will not get you cash flowing. 

I felt I had a good head start since I was already a real estate agent and was very comfortable with finding comps and figuring out the ARV.

But if you’re looking for a more stable, family-friendly environment with lower costs and a focus on LTRs, Texas could be a better fit.Since you have young kids, I’d dig deeper into school districts and neighborhoods in both states—family life can really shape where you’ll feel at home.