The biggest recommendation I would make is to get an inspection done with a third party you choose.

The truth is when you are starting out, DTI is always going to be the biggest challenge...until it isn't.

My biggest suggestion would be to get seller financing and if they won't do it then only buy if its a screaming deal.

There are many neighborhoods in Houston that score in the 70s and up on AirDNA, so it is a good market, but you need to be precise about where you're looking.2 - the submarkets within houston that perform well for STR are nowhere near your price point. continue saving or choose a cheaper market. you're looking at the fourth largest city in the US, and the biggest city in the most moved-to state in the union.

A HH lowers living expenses (which is usually a person’s biggest expense)—living in the smallest room in your own house might only cost you $500 per month, whereas renting an apartment might cost $1,000-2,000+ per month (not to mention the $500/mo you spend to live in your own house is partially paying off your mortgage, whereas the money you spend on rent is gone forever).

I'm not the biggest fan of selling it unless you have somewhere else to put that money or NEED to sell if you're not cashflowing.

In my opinion, the biggest mistake first-timers make is not that they buy the wrong thing; it's that they take too long too buy.

Take the test and get licensed, then when you start to put in the work that is where you will learn the most and get the biggest benefits! 

But the biggest concern for me is still some of the things you mentioned, maintenance and turnover potential.

I would hit up the big ones, New Western and Fair Trade seem to be the biggest that would potentially offer an internship/mentorship.