Every Week I scan the MLS, navigating cities and towns in South Florida that are friendly (and not friendly) toward short term rentals.

For me, it was live in flips, short term rentals, mid term rentals, good income with a solid savings rate, buying after tax index funds, paying off the primary house, driving old cars, moving a lower cost of living area (from Houston to small town Maine), and selling a business to push me over the top. 

But, they will be in challenging parts of town where realistically you do not want to own property and your long-run returns will under-perform.I'd encourage you to find a balance of sub-market growth, nearby employment, strong income, and only then a good rent-to-value ratio. 

Also Chip and Joann Gaines and put this town on the map with their show on TV.

I navigate through cities and towns, identifying areas that are both friendly and challenging for STRs.

After I signed with the expert, my actual "coach" was a girl in a call center who made sure I did the home study course and sent me across town to analyze neighborhoods.

Many years ago when foreclosures were the hot item and every idiot in town was getting rich from them till the bubble burst, I paid $180 for Carlton Sheets No money down deal course hardcopy books and cd's well I bought the house I was renting with 0 down.

I’d be curious to know what part of town those properties are in.

This photo is of our first house we purchased for Sober Living in 2019 up in Marysville, WA, the town I grew up in. 

Some people seem to get locked in to one place they find, or a place a friend or family member is selling without really evaluating the available market.In a small town in East Texas I would think your biggest risk is a big player coming to town that can absolutely crush a smaller player.