The key insight is to copy how a bank operates.

Did you end up moving forward with the project?

Not sure what to do anymore. move to a better market 

My wife and I are looking to househack a property which we'd later like to move out of and keep as a rental property.

With the insane market in Colorado, I made a killing on this house and moved to the Gulf Coast.

It sounds to me that your aqusition stratugie and price point is where I would start, the right lender is the key if your buying without cash contact me and I will share with you what I did after my first flip and how that grow.

I already have a buddy willing to move in with me to help with the expenses of the house.

I moved here from Florida after seeing the projected growth.

In some cases, Texas Tenant/Landlord Law may legally allow tenants, or even the landlord, to break a lease early without penalties.The following are the instances when tenant may be able to legally move out from the property without any liability or landlord may legally remove tenant from the property: The lease agreement specifies early termination clauseSince a lease is a contract, both parties may negotiate on the terms and conditions that allow a tenant to terminate their lease early.

If the manager can't show you something in writing from the law or your PM agreement, then I would fire them and move on.