Need to be able to stomach a negative cash flow at the beginning of a long time horizon or put more money down if you want to cash flow in this area most likely

Money pouring in + high paying job growth+ population growth with nothing on the horizon to stop it. 

Putting aside the varying time horizons and risk threshholds we all have, I think you should lock in the current mortgage rates on fixed 30 year loans and hire a real estate-savvy CPA to work on your tax concerns. 

(Over $1,500 a month in extra cash from my four properties; and no I don't touch any of it as I am saving for more properties and my approaching retirement, so I will continue to go outside the great state of Texas.Small fish like me need to supplement their income and with a future pension on the horizon that will annually reduce in spending power with inflation, I can't afford low cash flow and bank on a speculated ROI 10 years down the road. 

What's your time horizon?

Honestly, if you're using a mortgage and a property manager if it's a LTR, then that's about what we're seeing for most rent ready in A or B class neighborhoods these days.On a related note, I've seen people walk away from great deals because they're viewing it with too short of a time horizon. 

I believe these neighborhoods will outpace in terms appreciation over a 5-10 year time horizon.  

I want to build in build in Baltimore and Texas with a similar time horizon as you.

While it's a nice situation to be in, I'd still like to broaden my horizons as far as building income is concerned.

I would never pay extra mortgage payments unless maybe my loan's interest rate was VERY VERY high and I had nothing better on the horizon to use the money for.