I wouldn't be stunned to see that trickle down to SFR rentals as well. 

I was once in engineering as well and tried to juggle both.

I don't think that's a good idea.To keep in mind as well, you don't know what your kids what to do or will do with the house.

Don't forget to look at the rental comps as well, closed and available to see what your 'competition' is up to.I always go for a mixture of tough/durable and nice fixtures in my BRRRRs.

That might provide some insight into whether you want to go further down that (and the) road..If things are going well in the immediate area of the Arkansas property..maybe see if there is anything on market in that area? 

I know the market pretty well and do most all repairs myself.

This would be my first new build, so I don't have a strong sense of what my expectations should be (hence the forum post, as well as several videoconferences with experts that I have lined up).3.

The RGV has expanded immensely in the past couple of years and we've had an influx of people coming in from out of state bc of the affordability as well.

I recently put a roof on one of them as well. 

@Allison Richardson you should be able to well locally!