While that is a healthy budget, it is very difficult to get a FHA offer accepted on a triplex or quad.Another option is looking at larger homes in high appreciating areas like Ybor, Seminole Heights or Wellswood.

Now my entire lifestyle has shifted in pursuit of financial freedom through real estate.

Hello.Like most, I get to state that I'm newer to the community and very excited and motivated to make a change in my family's lifestyle and my community. 

I have been wanting to buy in Mex too but its definitely a lifestyle buy and not an investment as it ties up so much cash. 

I do not go and verify however if this is indeed the case as I trust my intuition on our conversation for sophisticated investors.Understanding a person's lifestyle, employment and passions can very easily showcase where the funds are or are not coming from.

Do they have a business lifestyle you want to emulate?

After a healthy maternity leave, I hope your soon to be wife will learn that she may be the best version of herself if she can find a healthy balance of paid work and mom work.

That lifestyle was pure hell and having done it for years I wouldn't recommend it.Over time, you learn the importance of systems and understand that your time does not scale.

While saving for vacancy/capex, I've got it close to 7%, but I've got a healthy capex savings going for a planned roof replacement in a couple years.

The change in lifestyle wouldn't be too different if we moved.