As for LTR, you can save time and focus on other tasks, while the income is stable but the opportunity cost could be lower when you're charging a flat monthly rent.

Fortunately, the ceilings were just flat white, so only had to do walls. 

Your mortgage payments may be fixed, but your taxes and utilities will increase, your maintenance material costs and labor rates for repairs have gone up, and your property is wearing out (appliances, flooring, water heaters, furnaces, roof, etc. all have a lifespan and will eventually need replaced). 

Run off from neighbors roof is causing wood siding on my townhome to rot.

Many of the HOAs across the metro at that price point do not have inhibitive rental restrictions.I would strongly urge you to avoid areas with flat or declining population in areas like Macon.

(my house was underwater completely except for the crest of the roof) ALso, the city wasn't letting anyone back on the island (even owners) for like 14ish days (I forget the exact number), so ALL of the non-raised houses were full of mold by time anyone was allowed to go in and start doing things. 

New hot water heaters + roofing.

The mold must be terrible and I expect that the furnace is completely rusted out.There's about two inches of moss on the roof and the porch.Considering that they are going to need to pay 5k in property taxes, get a quiet title, pay a REO realtor, and get the place up to code for showings or winterize, is it possible that they won't show up?

We replaced the old roof as part of the project and had the interior walls primed (with Kilz) and painted. 

I think it's the best way for people to be buying in this newly flat market.