Besides a declining population and tenant-friendly laws, you have to deal with the fact that neighborhoods can be as small as a city block in many cases.

I had a friend who bought on Clifton and Bedford ten years before me.

I have a friend who is a banker locally, he's seen business bank numbers for 40 years...he know what makes a strong business client and when it is a weak business with some good years.

Try being an agent, your phone number is EVERYWHERE and you get targeted by a whole industry that wants to sell you the latest gimmick.Here is what helped me.I answer calls and when it's a telemarketer I will interrupt them and say very friendly (because I don't hate the poor person who gets paid to do this and coached to be ruthless): Hey, so glad you called, can you do me a big favor? 

:) Would love to make some connections/friends here! 

Cons:not as friendly for our family to use at the same time.

Finding an investor-friendly agent is key and they should be able to help you with 1-4, I'd say talking about those questions you asked would be the perfect thing to ask any potential agents you interview! 

Hello Friends,I own a 1982-built ground-level condo (one unit above, one below).

I’ve considered multifamily or duplexes, but from what I’ve heard, they’re unideal right now, so I’m leaning towards STRs.I’ve put together a list of areas that seem STR-friendly with good tourism appeal, and I’d love to get feedback from people who know the San Antonio market well.

In my market, which is a fairly economical place to build, I am friends with full time builders that are in their properties about $150k/door for construction level finishes.