I also heard from a home consultant on a new project out there that they're planning to build about 5,000 new homes, though he didn't know how long that's going to take.

Obviously, we would hopefully hire a trusted cleaner, but any other advice on managing a property from a distance?

You can also take out a HELOC on an investment property as long as it is a 1-4 Unit and the total CLTV is not over 70%.

You can stay there as long as you want, especially if it is somewhere you like to live and it's increasing your net-worth. 

I've had success with renting rooms but it's impossible to know how long it'll take to get the other unit rented.

Honestly, @Matt Fisher, what I want are stable long-term rentals.

As long as you are not a "material participant" in the activity, then it will be considered Passive.

Refi’ing wasn’t my intention initially tbh, but I haven’t had my current primary mortgage that long (refi’d with rocket mortgage last July), so I’m not opposed if the numbers work out.I’m still shopping around, though.

Current rent for a 3/2 is 2200$ .Is it wise to convert the officeroom into a bedroom by adding a closet and then market it as a 4 bed 2 bath for 2450$.What will you do if you were in my shoes.As long as the office has enough space to make sense and the criteria to qualify as a bedroom I'd do it, especially if it is in an area / neighborhood without many 4 BRs. 

The issue is in the short term it takes sacrifice to yield long term gain.