The house we are in now is about $200k.

@Sahegin Charoliathe one's i've listed are going up for foreclosure.i just use it as a list for potential houses to pick up at the tax auction. 

look for the signs that say "we buy houses "  .

What are the best areas in or around Austin for house hacking (either duplex or single-family houses under $700k)?

My current options include: Patio pavers (rubber and stone/brick)GravelCement padNothing/stick with grassThis is currently for my residence thats a house hack but I have a rental that the shed part of this applies as well.

Yes, but with just a promissory not with the seller you could sell the house and then refuse to pay the seller!

No General Contractor wants to do a remodel with the residents still living there....they will charge you more (they probably will not show it, but the prices will be higher because of the huge PITA factor and increased liability)I would wait until you have completely moved out and then just give them the house empty and ready to roll.....But you can get a Scope Of Work going and start getting bids...even plans and permits if you're going that far...

Just a couple notes from my side: I don’t believe you can lend from your IRA to yourself to flip a house since you are a “disqualified” person, or whatever the term is.

So 30k for 900 income, perfect numbers for syndication, and built in under a week.

I saw it on a list of top 25 STR markets: https://www.fastcompany.com/91031733/housing-market-best-air...