It definitely is delaying my entry into the game, but in the mean time I'm looking to build my network, continue learning and who knows I may be able to find a partner willing to put up the capital for a property and I'll put in the sweat equity.

I have been in all the discussed scenarios within the forum and I must say, they all have there own underlying dynamics disadvantages and advantages, but for someone who is full time, TK is an easy and simple point of entry to participate in REI for building sustainable wealth.

As your lease states that you have the right of re-entry and gives the timeframe for that, then follow the lease, plain and simple. 

Austin is a great city for that, although the entry level for purchasing those investment properties is on a steady rise.

Barriers to entry are basically 0, so any bored guy or gal can sully the industry if they'll sit through a month of classes!

I still see deals in certain areas in Marietta that creep down to a lower entry point around 100k but I would say the average entry point on most of the fixer uppers I see up this way is closer to 150-200k.

At a lower entry point it could be worth it. 

My thought is to sell high on our current, and then wait for the market to cycle and pick up one or more properties at a better entry point into the market (in theory!).  

But for starters, many of my investor friends, clients, and myself included have began their foray in rental investments thru condos as there is a much lower price-to-entry and as a result, less risk.  

I was looking for markets where my trusted property manager already operates, removing a significant barrier to entry (finding the right PM, or moving the right PM to a new market)2.