I have been told to stay away from lease options in Texas.

This reduces exit options and affects the value. 10) Small number of small units is the most expensive residential development there is.

While I’ve considered cash-out refinancing or HELOCs, the high rates make these options less appealing.I’m debating between using cash to acquire more SFRs or diversifying into mixed-use retail properties.

Note these are only residential options. 

However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates this year).It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you.

Albany, Syracuse, Utica, OH, PA, etc.) for cashflow.The challenge in these markets is that demand is through the roof, and many properties either sell at the asking price or above the asking price (Suffolk's sale price average was 1.5% ABOVE the asking price).If I were in your shoes, I'd explore local and remote multi-family options before considering the mid-term rental route.All the best!

That said, if managing sounds overwhelming or you’re strapped for time, hiring a property manager from the start is a perfectly valid option.

By doing this we qualified for a larger mortgage because we could use the rent from the other tenant to qualify and there are better lending programs when it’s “owner occupied”.  

Hey proper used to be a good option years ago when not as many insurance agencies were doing STR but not many have caught up. 

@P from prior topic, use this to understand the capacity in your market and your best options.