I'm trying to find a good method for a quick, surface level assessment to determine if a property is worth further analyzing - One that is adjusted for the Dallas market. 

Having a banker in your court speaking to other banks and finding out what really is available- This has put our team at a whole new level reflected in amazing rates and huge savings.

House hacking - renting out a portion of your primary residence to cover part of, all, or more than your mortgage payment - is an excellent strategy for investors of all experience levels to reduce or even eliminate their housing expenses and begin to generate cash flow right where they live.

For those with significant experience doing this, am I better served using my benefits to get an MBA or to use them to take a myriad of courses at the undergrad level that could also help me, e.g. a few accounting courses, maybe some basic trades courses, marketing, etc. 

Thinking along those lines, head my advice to stay active, the advice and perspectives of others will greatly enhance your level of expertise and before you know it, you will be answering other members questions.

Split level, basements, converted garages are all ways to create more income and separation.

They need to be cautioned upfront that upper level units have an expectation of them being respectful of those below them.

To really understand it you have to be incredibly familiar with how all lines of the balance sheet, profit and loss, and statement of cash flows interact, which most people simply don't, particularly at the level of specificity required for a huge firm like this. 

Obviously there are more items to consider when refinancing like interest rate, term of the new loan, long term strategy of existing property and new property, cost of refinance, etc... but the above is how I would think about refinancing at a high level.

Need to be more creative for that : )    They offer it in a level that cost 1,200/month.