Maintenance and potential repairs will also require a long-term financial plan and setting aside a contingency fund for such expenses.The steady cash flow, appreciation over time, and tax benefits can make a meaningful difference to your wealth in the long term, especially with the principal paydown on the mortgage.However, if managing the property from a distance feels too burdensome, or if you’d prefer the certainty and flexibility that comes with having less debt (especially given the high mortgage rates), selling and using the $100,000 in equity to reduce your loan for your next home may be the smarter move.

Tenant 1 moved out five months ago.

The worst is when they don't tell you they are moving out and leave behind enough stuff that you are not sure if they are coming back for it, and they ghost you.  

Quote from @Jeffrey Blackman: Hi @Andrew Katz, I'm curious to see if you moved forward with the HELOC and your next house hack.

However, I am unsure on how to go about finding the proper handyman/maintenance guy/management team to help run any out-of-state investments I make.

The main thing being: giving up a property that appears to have appreciated pretty well is just a touch pill to swallow and I've regretted a few moves I've made when put in a similar situation to yours, and I had less equity in mine.It sounds like you're moving to Raleigh in the near future and want to buy a multifamily to househack.

If you and your fiance are willing to make a couple moves and remodels you could put yourself in a very strong cash position. 

There's also a lot of mid-term demand in this area from people moving down and waiting on their home to be finished.

Do you have an experienced rehab team? 

Little Elm and most cities in DFW are not walkable location so they need a car to move around.Many things to consider, and there are only a few that I know that have done it in a short scale.Happy to connect and rainstorm more.