My plan for this year is improve my credit, get my real estate license (to increase my income on top of my W-2), possibly career transition into the property management space (to learn more), and save as much as possible and learn as much as I can.I’d love to house hack close to home but my area is so expensive it seems like it’d be close to impossible. 

It appraised for $201,000 and I put $103,000 in my pocket after closing costs and previous mortgage payoff. 

The process of buying, getting a loan and settling to closing was extremely smooth.

I don't know about other areas in TX, but I keep a close eye on Austin-SAN corridor, and I'm familiar with the market in Kyle, New Braunfels and NE San Antonio.

Quote from @Chinku Chinku: Got a townhome in suburb area of Houston for long term rental close to katy mills (<5miles).

Initial beneficiary is the seller and the this can transfer to buyer at closing.  

Lend to Live is a great book on the topic of private money lending, and Devon Kennard is also someone I follow closely who has a private lending business. 

If I were new I would simply stick to areas close to where I live.

I follow Dodd Frank, I use an RMLO, I have a title company close the sale and offer title insurance.

Let me know if you'd like to hop on a call to chat, but this is one of the reasons why I mostly advise clients to always negotiate vacant delivery on properties before closing.