Interest rates are pretty universal across country, you are in a high demand, high cost area.  

University federal credit union 

They focused on renovations that appeal universally.. think updated kitchens and bathrooms - and kept meticulous records of their expenses.

But also Columbia has university of South Carolina and a tier 1 and tier 2 hospital so I would have the option of midterm rentals as well.

President of the Universe could take a while, the other thing will take a few years, but is not that hard. 

Well, there are two colleges nearby, Delta State and Mississippi Valley but they are about the poorest 4-year public universities in the state and most of the people that go to them are from the Delta. 

I haven’t used them yet but Universal Settlement Services is an investor friendly title company in the state college/altoona area.

Speaking from the Arizona perspective, we are experiencing continued growth, attracting lots of new residents (Californians choose Texas and Arizona as their top 2 places to move).Here's an economic forecast:https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/economy/2019/12/11/arizona-state-university-annual-economic-forecast-predicts-slower-growth/4398074002/Not sure where you are getting your "low rent" thoughts, maybe compared to CA.

I often look at them and think if they can do it, probably I can have some level of success too.Other key info I may have left out above:1) I am not in the US, and have no plans to visit or move there2) I am not a US citizen, but possibly have a credit history there (maybe none) since I attended university there many many years ago3) I am completely new to real estate - I've been reading crazily and consuming lots of content.

Quote from @Kevin Sobilo: @Corey Gelineau, real estate licenses are not universal like that.