That should be cheap enough to literally put on a credit card.

In addition, I’m wishing to connect & build relationships with local investor friendly agents in these areas who invest themselves, help clients with investing opportunities & are tapped into off-market listings.

at the moment it brings in an additional $400 a month.

I figure it could be a good educational tool and potential for some additional income in the form of referrals, and my own purchase commissions. 

But it will still allow you to afford a SIGNIFICANTLY higher price point than if you did not house hack.So, if real estate appreciates 5% per year, then a $500,000 property will have $138,000 in additional value after 5 years.

A pool requires the largest capital investment of the three, and in most cases adds very little if any additional value.

Pretty much the only way to get funds into a retirement account is via earned income.Of course, growing it inside an account is a different issue.With those additional properties you say you are helping your kids buy, are you putting your name on Title? 

In addition, not all rigidcore products are constructed the same.

While estimates suggest higher returns (10-20%) than traditional rentals, additional costs and complexities come into play.

Additionally, I have family I often visit in Birmingham and along the I-85 corridor (Greenville, Charlotte, and RDU area).