If that’s the case, I’d recommend considering areas outside of Dallas proper where you can still find properties with strong growth potential.Cities like Prosper, Melissa, Princeton, and Anna are excellent options to explore.

(We're from California as well) Everything has been extremely smooth so far and their staff has been excellent with their customer service. 

Quote from @Dennis McNeely: In a sandwich lease option, the investor exercises their option with the property owner to purchase the property when the tenant-buyer indicates they're ready to exercise their option and purchases the property.

What would be my best approach, I assume find a private lender and work out some deal with them.All questions and answers will help thank you. private lender would be one option - also can you get traditional financing from a bank? 

@Louis Hamilton,If a HELOC doesn’t work, you might consider these options:1.

If you are having trouble finding a duplex, is house hacking an option?

Are there other options that could be better for a construction to perm loan (not through a traditional bank)???

The more cash on hand the more options.

Several of the contractors offer helical piers but don’t seem to think they’d be a more cost effective option - we can directly ask about this again.  

I am always happy to chat about hard money - and I am biased, but I think I am an excellent communicator!