I suggest looking at what they call "linear" markets that don't rise or fall too much - there's a lot less competition there and prices still make sense for positive cashflow.DM me if you want more help, good luck! 

@Jesse Nelson, Being in a very strong seller's market myself with limited inventory & high competition, this is pretty difficult to fathom. 

I get that certain areas just aren't good for my particular business plan, but I got a flat "I don't go there", "It is too competitive" or simply not addressing the questions I asked.

I get at least 5 calls a day from people with a heavy foreign accent asking if I am interested in selling one of my investment properties.

Your competition Is mostly people wanting to buy instead of rent coupled with flood of investors that want to pick up something in Austin.

It's crazy competitive with multiple offer situations all over the valley... 

Bringing their own is fine but they signed only a year's lease and we wud have to put new appliances once they leave to be competitive.

@Joe VilleneuveHey Joe,I’m actually well trained in mathematics and actually won a state-wide math competition for high schoolers In South Dakota (not meaning to brag).

The feedback we were getting was that folks were willing to double the down or increase the monthly slightly to have a competitive edge against other prospective tenants.

The competition has become rather fierce over the last few years.