This will also allow me to capture the larger equity upfront.

Here is an interactive map that I feel gives some insight: https://www.nytimes.com/intera...I do believe that in 20-30 years, Midwest markets like Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh will be even more desirable given their proximity to fresh water and they all have existing infrastructure to support larger populations. 

I would buy a slightly larger home and turn your current home into a rental.

What I would do is call local credit unions instead of larger banks.

I’m pretty sure she already adopted the dog.  

We also have a couple of larger projects looming such as a retention wall (we are on a canal with ocean access), a new driveway, and completion of a fence.

The higher loan amount of the owner occupant is ballpark a wash with the higher rate of the investor, who is borrowing less due to the larger down payment.You can scale it up and down easily.

@Ryan JohnsonIndustry, lifestyle, government, and spillover from larger nearby towns and states usually drive population growth.

Take now larger pool of capital to buy a better deal or invest in two deals.In many cases, buy and hold doesn't equate to scaling fast, especially on your own.

Been kicking around the idea of buying larger acreages of land and subdividing and selling and/or renting.