I live in one and rent the other for $400 cash flow.

I paid cash, I received my deed in about 2 weeks, and I’m paying taxes on the land now.

Will be a cash purchase.

I am unsure if they are a good investment, but I am leaning towards yes, I don't have anyone around me to ask so I decided to come here.House 1. rents for $825/m the loan will cost me $13,000 as a down payment and $6,000 closing costs, and should cash flow approx $275/m after mortgage payment are made.House 2. rents for $600/m the loan will cost me $13,000 as a down payment and $6,000 closing costs, and should cash flow approx $50/m after mortgage payment are made. 

is there a way to cash out refinance 2 properties I own?

Lucy,  I would need to know the numbers to say, and whether this is a cash deal or mortgaged.I had looked at College Station myself, but concluded that it does not pencil out.I own a SF house in an upscale area of McAllen, TX and a quadplex nearby.So far, TX has been my worst market - property taxes just ruin the cash-flow.  

Rates are higher than they've been and it's harder to find cash flow.

There are a few reasons for this: 1) They are costly and the Exchange intermediary may require a whole host of inspections including environmental reports etc and 2) One has to come up with the cash to buy the new property without getting the equity out of the first property - not everyone can do that - add in having to get a loan while still being obligated to the loan on the “sale” property.

Purchase price: $575,000 Cash invested: $140,000 I live in the house that I bought it as a long-term investment.

I just wire in the money and sit back to enjoy the cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits.