Prioritize paying off existing debt to improve your debt-to-income ratio for better loan terms.

This can help offset your mortgage and other expenses.Single-Family Home: If you choose a single-family home, you may have the option to rent out rooms or a separate unit if there's space, but the income potential might be lower compared to a duplex.Affordability:Duplex: Financing a duplex might be more challenging, but the rental income can assist with affordability.Single-Family Home: Single-family homes might be more accessible for first-time buyers, but you won't have rental income to offset expenses unless you choose to rent out a portion of the property.Property Management:Duplex: Managing a duplex involves dealing with multiple tenants and units, which can be more time-consuming than managing a single-family home.Single-Family Home: Managing a single-family home is typically simpler since there's only one tenant.Privacy:Duplex: Living in a duplex means you'll share a building with tenants, which could impact your privacy.Single-Family Home: Offers more privacy as you won't be sharing the property with renters.Market Conditions:Duplex: In some markets, duplexes may offer better appreciation potential and cash flow due to the rental income.Single-Family Home: Depending on the location, single-family homes may have better long-term appreciation potential.Long-Term Plans:Duplex: If your goal is to accumulate rental properties, starting with a duplex can be a good way to get into real estate investing.Single-Family Home: If you prioritize a more traditional living arrangement and don't want to manage rental units, a single-family home might be a better fit.

If you're not planning to live in the property long-term, I'd suggest prioritizing the property's standalone investment potential during evaluation, regardless of its role in a house-hack scenario.

When I was in my 20s, while I was a good saver, I didn't prioritize making money. 

Step #PhaseStep1DiscoveryTalk to experts and learn (process, tips, design tips)2DiscoveryCreate social media and document story3DiscoveryGeneral research - budget considerations, financing options, permits, regulations, tax considerations4DiscoveryMarket research - competitor analysis, analyze guest reviews, market trends5DiscoveryGather ideas/inspo (blogs, articles, youtube)6DefineCreate brand and vision7DefineCreate guest requirements (e.g. coffee maker, natural light, near activities, etc.) and prioritize must have, nice to have, etc.8DefineSketch idea for look and feel (architecture and design) - map out the floor layout9DefineConsult an architect (is this needed?)

Houston (and all of Texas) is difficult if your strategy is to prioritize cash flow due to the high taxes.

Really prioritize location over anything else, MF is hard in Austin.

Or lines along that.Always prioritize location, then enough reserves to manage the hard times.

I'm guilty of this to a fault at times, prioritizing other peoples families over my own even..but success takes sacrifice and top real estate professionals are generally rewarded for their contributions to protecting and providing for their clients.

@Lorenzo Clark, thank you, great idea to connect with local realtors - and yes, my home inspector guy was great, encouraged me to not think I have to make all repairs at once but can prioritize, and told me what needs to be done ASAP/First - I think I could definitely contact him in the future for ideas/referrals and cost estimates.