And that reserve you're holding in your IRA has to be cash, ie, not invested in other potentially risky investments.

For using leverage to acquire properties, did banks, lenders, mortgage brokers, or potential partners require that you held a college degree in order to secure the loan that leveraged your properties?

If you were ok with taking on additional debt (loans your tenants would pay down for you over time), you could potentially leverage that 475k into 10 or more cash flow properties (though there are limits on how many loans you can carry at once).Of course, there's always a middle ground too: sell the condo, use some of the money to increase your DP on the new house and use the rest for investing.

These two would go out to view the potential properties with me. 

Then you could purchase your own home, and potentially house-hack by renting out an extra room or basement in the house.

I've seen a few properties potentially fitting this criteria in the North Richland Hills area, maybe Euless and Bedford as well.

I have also seen that it is becoming increasingly difficult and more expensive to get involved in Airbnb in Miami Beach but other areas in the near vicinity have great potential. 

Needless to say he has scared off all of the potential buyers for our home.

As a potential/ future landlord, be prepared for things like maintenance/ repairs and vacancy.

Also, potentially as part of transactions where parties agree to sell businesses or other assets or other properties and the transfer of title is just a part of those larger transactions.