Aso was looking in areas such as texas, OH, I would love to stay in NY but not sure my income is high enough to get something suited for here.

I'm in the high 7s now with no points on a 5 year balloon on build loans.

On the long-term rental side, I'm not exactly sure where your house is, but getting over $3,000 a month right now is for homes that are on the high end and in really nice neighborhoods.

Given the potential for high returns, customizable involvement levels, and significant tax benefits, I believe this is a great investment opportunity, particularly in markets experiencing rapid growth.I've been keeping an eye on developments in Georgia, where builders are struggling to meet the surging demand driven by population increases in certain areas.

I would highly recommend connecting with @Josh Brook

Acquiring an income earning property with high potential for appreciation for less than $20k out of pocket?  

I would highly advised from borrowing from your uncles until you are much farther along in the process. 

I would say there should be a few options at that loan amount - the most common minimum for DSCR lenders right now probably more like $100k or $125k - I would say only a small portion have as high a min. as $150,000

Unless you are an experienced builder, securing a bank loan can be difficult, and hard money loans often have high interest rates, which can become costly if your project faces delays.

We use a lot of caulk on damaged wood to help fill in gaps, etc - especially up high on the sides of houses.