I have growing experience in a lot of construction fields and am starting project management course in may.

It is DECELERATION - jobs and RE Prices are growing less quickly.

Been doing the commercial side since 84 (first growing up with it then running it), Sold off the commercial property a little over a year ago, and now getting into residential.

I eventually want to get into buy and hold, however I want to be able to grow my capital as fast as a I can. 

If you know students, or if you are going to grow into knowing more and more students, you could have a steady flow of reliable tenants for the time that you live there.  

You could otherwise use that money to invest in additional properties which will contribute further to your returns and the tenants will pay for your debt service.Both are okay and you will make money, but if you goal is to grow your investment portfolio, hold long term, and realize property appreciation then debt service is probably needed unless you have deep pockets.

Of it's a leak, the culprit is likely a broken pipe or connection under growing somewhere.  

I am happy to be here to listen, learn and grow and to share what I know.

Tracking spending, then making a budget and sticking to it will help ease your concerns about having enough in savings to cover you while you grow your business. 

In addition, even as Austin grows, some of the outlying neighborhoods still have great deals while benefiting from the high rents and high demand in Austin proper.