McKinney is thriving, but so are other parts of North Texas, and a broader perspective could reveal other great opportunities.Here’s what I’ve observed managing a significant number of rentals in the area:Bedrooms and Layouts:3-bed, 2-bath homes consistently attract the largest pool of tenants and have the highest occupancy rates.4-bedroom homes have grown in demand, especially with the rise of remote work, as tenants look for extra space to use as a home office.Square footage is less critical than number of beds and baths.Supply and Demand:McKinney’s growth is driving demand, but the quality of the location matters greatly.

I've calculated the lump sum costs to be $9,500 for buy and sell combined and a monthly reduction in cashflow of $347 due to the new loan and taxes.

A lot of education and a little bit of practice is something that one can accomplish with elbow grease. 

In 4 or 5 years you will have appreciation and a solid number of years with 2% remaining.  

However, between the much lower mortgage interest rate in Europe and a better tax treatment in the US, I'd choose the former.

You want an area with a good rental pool and a good property to rent to them.

It could be a good choice if you prefer more personal space or want flexibility with different rental terms (like longer stays for remote workers).In general, duplexes are more limited in Austin and can appreciate well, while single-family homes give you future flexibility and a wider tenant pool.

And folks that need to do that dont have the capacity to deal with a loan that has been called and a seller that is madder than a wet hornet if you goof up their credit.Then the other major issue glossed over by everyone is there is a minute amount of sellers that will even entertain these transactions and most of the time your paying a premium for the asset.

The price-to-rent ratios are generally unfavorable, and a shortage of skilled tradespeople and reliable property management can hinder the success of buy-and-hold rental investments.

There is a certain entitlement mentality and a long-term frustration mindset where they often times will mention repairs previous owners "promised" to make, etc.