If this is not something you're interested in delving into and learning to a high degree, then investing in publicly traded REITs would be another good option for you, which have historically returned about 13.5 per cent Per year over the past 50 years (1977-present), beating the US stock market by two per cent and even beating private real estate investing by 4 per cent (that's compared with the average real estate investor, not the experts here at Bigger Pockets).

I was thinking maybe Houston because my boyfriend lives there and I’m there a good portion of the year as is, but I’m open to any good market.

I think every market has those luxury areas that pricing is multiples beyond what any average person in the market can afford. 

You can contact some local property managers and get a better idea of the rental market.

In our market it is important to make sure they are a licensed broker, carry adequate GL and worker's comp (and name you as additional insured).  

I was actually born in Hartford - would love to know how the market is over there!

It seems Safeguard is genuinely trying to clean up the Jackson, MS, mess but they are also marketing lots of other deals in other cities still.

As well as utilizing them to market and sell your properties.

Here's a decent video teaching you how to take marketing photos.

Best of luck on your journey, the DMV in my opinion is still one of the strongest markets in the US to get started in.