if the local gov is making major investments, does it indicate the area is up and coming / transitioning ? 

I know its painful in the short term, but you can make your move to Colorado knowing you do not have a house to deal with while in transition.  

Making more connections with bankers which enabled me to continue to get loans on properties and transition to portfolio loans and pay off the private money lenders.12.

So if you come back here or message my sometime how that transition goes for you I'd appreciate ya!  

Lastly, very few jobs/job offers are "guaranteed", so make sure they have adequate savings to make it through any transition difficulties.

I could cash out refi, but that would only net me about 20k and would increase my monthly payments.My goal is to transition out of my current job into another where I would expect more income and investment opportunities, but I would love to have my work and then come history for access to traditional financing if possible.I currently have access to about 15k cash.I'm very open to investing out of state where my cash on hand can go much farther.What would your suggestions be for someone in my situation?

It's a natural transition. 

My thoughts were that I could start off on a team then transition to become a solo agent once I learn the business more.

I think you are smart to start small when making this transition. 

A lot of folks, me included, get started by transitioning their first primary residence into a rental property.5.