Nothing 'on the fringe' of an undesirable neighborhood.5.

I took the number $671 from the Harris County tax site, but I don't think it includes the school, mud, etc..  

Although HOA is undesirable in some ways, it also means no exterior or pool maintenance to coordinate and pay for.

The taxes here are VERY high (even in comparison with NY--I've invested there as well), but the thing that surprises many people is the MUD tax (municipal utility district) which can sometimes be as high or higher than mortgage on a modest home. 

Just depends on weather you want it made outa sticks and mud, our build the whole thing outa custom cut granite blocks...  

In these locations, you may not be able to increase the rent fast enough to keep pace with inflation, or you may end up with undesirable tenants.

We usually need two weeks for demo and installation of electrical and plumbing, then a week for inspection, a couple days for insulation, then inspection again and then about a week and a half for rocking, tape, 3 coats of mud, sanding and texture. 

Then, when you hit a wall (or start trudging through the mud), you can find a coach or a mentor to help you make some bigger adjustments.

Once you fill the vacancies and turn-out any undesirable tenants, it should make you smile. 

We based our decisions on which units to remodel and when upon the (un) desirability of the tenants.  4 years later we still have 2 of the original tenants.