The town/city has changed tremendously in the past decade and there are a lot more "new" multi-unit buildings aimed directly at students - 2-bdrm to 4-bdrm units where each bdrm has its own bath - which are competing with the "traditional" student houses in town.  

It's a pretty nuanced product, and I've been in touch with all of the local players and even then it's a tough market for this product.

I am an artist, photographer and traveler, born in WA raised in FL, traveled to 13 countries competing in a sport called Flowboarding and landed in Ogden, UT 2 years ago because of my sport.I've decided to stay in one spot for a while and I'm looking for my first home in Salt Lake City to house hack!

Does anyone know of any players in the Houston market doing high value deals like this?

A competent pm will tell you exactly what their average cost is to "turn a unit". 

In addition look for competent subs as well (plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, paint, etc.) before buying.

Get thee to a competent professional.Good luck. 

AT your selliing price point what do you see in the competion?

But ideally we'd like both of our work commutes to be as short as possible because of our lack of experience - and competence driving in the snow.In our brief scouting of the area she has inevitably taken a liking to trendier areas like Lakewood, Tremont and Ohio City.

If I wait till open house, then I'll end up competing with everyone else and not get a good price.