@Jacob Stahl if I were in your shoes I would go for with the least down payment and secure either the 7/1 or 10/1.

I'm a big fan of the West Houston and Northwest Houston areas.

I am a fan of the mini splits because its an easier retrofit and you have room by room control (and can get heat included). 

This brings up HomeAdvisor which I've never been a fan of but was just curious. 

For example I run my AC probably 15 - 20 days out of the year, because although I live in an arid climate I have shade trees, it cools off at night and I can do with fans until it gets above 78 or so. 

I am not an Airbnb fan.

@Joshua Reffett - I'm not a huge fan of blanket loans. 

Traditional Duplexes are hard to find but there are plenty of Multi Families in the Manchester Area and with interest rates low even with higher prices they cash flow well because the rent prices are also high.I am not a fan of SFH so i can't help you with that strategy.  

His recommendation was to install a unhumidifier fan (I think that’s what he called -I could be wrong on the name) and that it would resolve the humidity down in the basement and stop the mold from building.

We’re a big fan of DFW and San Antonio but it’s like covering California, you need resources and boots on the ground because it’s such a competitive market.