Ensure you collect a proper security deposit (typically one month's rent in Florida) to cover potential damages.Your plan to increase rent next year makes sense given rising costs (taxes, insurance, and maintenance).

Our short-term residential investment property loans are typically 60-80% LTV and all are personally guaranteed by the borrower(s) -- we pull credit, background and PFS on each guarantor, verify experience, verify liquidity, underwrite the property, neighborhood and zip code.

Typically it would be the tenants responsibility to provide access.

A lot of it has to do with location and time.If they are local owners looking at 1-2 LTR properties, I'll assist with identifying cash flowing/near cash flowing properties, assist them in the purchase as their buyers agent and assist with tenant procurement, listing, etc. but they can typically handle day to day management from there.Furnished properties, whether that be MTR or STR, are a lot more involved, as I'm sure you're aware of!

However, required downpayments were typically 40-50%, and would be difficult without a residency visa.

The profile of the typical Houston traveler is someone coming in for work.

I accept the need for a competent PM and the reality that competence typically ain't cheap.

Typically, higher income areas have lower crime, more amenities, better schools.  

I think the heating cost that the OP mentioned is reasonable and typical.

It's near impossible to cash flow when most homes are selling for above $750K, Taxes and Insurance added in the PITI payment is higher than the rents.You can buy a Duplex 2 unit for example in either FL, IN, or OH and not pay more than $200K the rents are typically $1200-$1500 a door.