However, the rates on VA are some of the best out there.Jumbo is similar to conventional where its based on risk assessment (down payment, credit, self employed, co-borrowers or not, etc).

Nearby employers?

Some are employed, others students.

My family and I had to relocate across the country to keep my employment.

Yet Not paying back money given to you can make you a victim Crazy world  Assuring a 19 year old that it's prudent to borrow ~$200k for a degree in social work, using fraudulent numbers for employment and income prospects to support that supposition, isn't predatory?

Welcome Valente,It's a broad question with a lot of different answers, but I'll do my best to help you find some.Before even thinking about which real estate strategy to employ, I'd start with an honest personal financial assessment.

So, I am going down the rabbit hole of researching moving my 401k and my wife's 403b from a former employer to a Solo 401k and a personal Roth IRA to a Self Directed Roth IRA.

@Jared McCulloughIncome from rental real estate is not subject to Self Employment tax, therefore an LLC is generally fine for buy-and-hold.

Despite hemorrhaging >80,000 oil and gas jobs in the last 2 years Houston employment rates are the highest in history at the end of 2016.

In the long run I want to employ buy-and-hold more than flipping.