This seems unnecessary currently.I am looking for more security but with a good balance of ease of use.

@Aaron Dominy   Building supply chains have eased considerably in the past 2 months, thus the time-frame to build in Galveston has shortened.

There is a lot of tension here :).

And I’m also a pro pilot and I fly there with ease; its not that far for me...

Find a better job anywhere to ease the pain?

If they are not prepared to live in this area that is not my responsibility to ease it for them.

For ease and simplicity, I would recommend having one of your friends/stable renters to rent the whole house.

Prop tax's some of the lowest the country very low insurance stucco houses tile roofs and desert landscaping all lead to ease of maintenance over time compared to FLA which of course has all sorts of weather related issues that is detrimental to houses .. high prop tax and sky high insurance ( certain areas) But its also growing.. so there is that.

I'm expecting a surge in appreciation once interest rates ease. 

Without commenting as to the ease or difficulty, passive or active aspect, here are a few commercial deals I’ve made outsized profits on in fairly short periods of time.