It’s usually the smaller or local insurance providers that offer the best coverage and rates.

I think that you live in the best house hacking market in the country.

You might use Zillow's zestimate, a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) provided by a realtor, or just your own analysis of recently sold similar properties.

I'm thinking that I need to buy soon while it's a buyer's market and refi when rates go down - am I thinking about this the right way?

Target renovations that appeal to the local workforce and lifestyle.

@Armando Carrera research and develop your own typical tenant qualifications so you don’t accidentally violate fair housing, landlord/tenant or local laws on occupancy limits based on bedroom quantity/size required for kids, number of unrelated persons in one house, etc.

We are in a great buy and hold market.

Understand the West Texas market dynamics, such as transient workforces in towns like Midland, Odessa, or Lubbock, and research growth potential.

There's a very good chance the issue(s) you face have already been discussed and answered.Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of your screen, and you can search for other MEMBERS or LOCAL MEETUPS.

Depending on the size of your portfolio, I suggest considering either "PROPERTYWARE" or "INNAGO":Propertyware is ideal for larger portfolios, offering customizable and automated reporting features.Innago has been very effective for me, enabling property marketing, conducting screenings, and managing rent and maintenance requests.