Dude, you're paying rent to someone.

Client rents that house and makes 1k monthly profit, plus has a really good paying job.

Columbus has some solid fundamentals like job growth, population growth, and entry prices that still make sense compared to rents.

Rent control laws in LA are a little scary to me.

Can not go wrong with a rental in Ashburn since the rents have increased so much. 

And this low demand could be a couple of factors, either a rural location with low population density or the area incomes are not high enough in order to prevent a rent burdened scenario. 

For some they just want a quiet piece of land to spend time with family and a rocking chair on the porch.

Its return is achieved due to an alternate rent model.  

( Regarding interior, and not HOA, management, location)Anyone has experience renting for snowbirds?

Value and rents should eventually increase to turn cashflow positive and build your wealth.You're next learning experience will be, now that you are out of day-to-day management, how will you be able to handle the inevitable expense challenges?