Whether you should take a retirement distribution or not depends on several factors1) How much do you value the freedom/flexibility to ues the money NOW compared to when you are 60 years old.2) What type of return can you get having cash vs investing in an IRA / SDIRA.If you can make a 1% - 2% better annual return in your personal name, it may make sense as the added return will pay for the penalties over a couple of years.I personally cashed out of my retirement account back in 2016 and it was the best decision I made.

I’m not super experience but I do have a couple rentals.

It always cracks me up when someone hands me a business card that says "President and CEO" and they don't realize how ridiculous that looks.

Buy when you feel like you really know what is going on in the local market like the back of your hand. 

Spent a couple years as an LO. 

Go to a couple of real estate investor meetups and make connections.

My experiences were a couple of years ago and I was originally told the appraisal had been assigned and the rate would be $780 but then later I was told that appraiser was cancelled and they'd found someone else who it was assigned it for $935.

Honestly if you are doing STR I would suggest doing Austin itself rather than all the way out there in Kyle - maybe a couple of years ago when the prices were through the roof in Austin city itself this would be a good alternative but there is a blip right now where you can get a god entry point in Austin (downtown/east ideally) for STR

Over the next couple of years, I don’t plan to use the property often, but I may stay there occasionally when it’s not occupied.

I've had to use Craigslist a couple times in a pinch because I didn't know anyone local and needed pictures asap.