If your clients/or yourself put the time into learning and figuring out a niche in the RE world that excites you, start looking for deals that make sense and always run the numbers.

The baseball season lasts 6-7 months, and I am given free housing during this time, wherever I am currently assigned to play.

Just remember anyone who has acted as your employee, attorney, accountant, investment banker or broker, or real estate agent or broker within the 2-year period ending on the date of the transfer of the first of the relinquished properties is considered your agent and is disqualified from being your QI.So definitely ask them for recommendations but they cannot act as your QI on the exchange. 

A quick look at VRBO shows over 300+ listings so there is competition.

Less oversupply with that product type and more renters that were renting the more expensive bigger cabins are choosing the lesser ones because they love the area but don't want to spend as much on rent.We've talked with several long time investors out there and there isn't a one that have held on to their cabins over time that aren't still adding more. 

I guess I could do some work-arounds -- maybe reserve one unit in the first purchase for use as an AirBnb, and reserve my own time in it when needed - instead of claiming it as a primary.Are either of you (or anyone) familiar with a finance product/loan that will allow me to purchase under $150,000 (w/ strong credit) and do much of my own work and live-in a portion as a primary residence?  

If you are setting aside funds for capex, taxes, insurance, or other expenses that don't occur monthly, transfer those funds to Savings each month and hold them there until it's time to spend them.

One bad tenant , one sewer line replacement and you will be wiping out any reserves quickly .  

Try to buy “blocks of time” in advance?

Hii I am a first time investor trying to understand if Austin is a good market to buy a SFH and rent.