With your focus in using house hacking, Conventional or FHA loans would be your best options.

Greetings and stay focused and united. 

Strategy Selection – With your interest in STRs, multifamily, and fix & flips, consider focusing on one strategy first to build expertise before branching out.

I have built in the past and I do not understand how anyone can build a house for 250k that will last.As an agent I focus on high end relocation clients and many are positively surprised by the build quality compared to the south.

Admittedly, I am not one that typically finds paid mentorship very valuable, but I also respect that my degree is in business with a focus on real estate, and my first job out of college was in real estate (so it is a little hard for me to take my 20 yrs of knowledge and rewind it to try to view mentors from a completely fresh lens).A couple points: I view mentors, especially these expensive ones as a catch-22. 

I tend to focus so much on the seller’s situation that I sometimes limit myself in negotiations.

Instead, focus on improving your marketing and responsiveness.

Focus a lot on the kitchen counters, hard surfaces.

Pre-construction homes, which could build $50-60K in equity within a year or two.I can afford a 20% down payment, but I’m torn between focusing on equity (pre-con) or cash flow (resale).

As you're just starting out in Austin, focus on learning the local market, particularly areas with good rental demand and lower entry prices.