There are a ton of scammers, liars, and low-quality humans in the group.

They are inexpensive, they usually come with mineral rights (big plus in Texas), they typically have short redemption periods, low rehab costs, and sell quickly at the right price; they also have large ROI. 

Why pay off a low rate interest.

Even if you had to exceed that, as single you could convert an additional $485,050 above the $63,350 (or $503,350 if married) and you’d only be taxed at the 15% LTCG tax rate (not counting any state if applicable).Each year I’d get my taxable income as low as possible to give myself as much ‘room’ as possible in the 0% tax bracket and convert the max amount possible.

And Sec8 sounds great, but comes with it's own issues.Add it all up you get a low dollar, but high headache strategy, which is a challenge that gets amplified, especially when you are operating remote.

AlabamaAlabama residents enjoy a low cost of living and a thriving economy.

The only people who succeed at birddogging are the ones who learn everything they can and know it's going to be a low-paid slog so they do the work hard and one day it changes because you have earned more.

The net result is basically the same, but it keeps the two properties separate from a lenders perspective.Any low down payment money, particularly on an investment property, is going to come from a private money lender.  

For example, I have two STR high-income earners (making 140k & 150k) in Joshua Tree for sale with low expenses, where the sellers will stay on to manage it.Making sure you are keeping as much as possible from the tax man is a huge component and to do so you usually have to invest it.

Given it's in a very low population area, it may just be an extremely slow, low demand rental.