Therefore the price you, the investor, paid ($10-$20K) is the only benchmark the appraiser has in constructing the comparable market analysis for the lender. 

(Pretty old for modern Houston)The areas I live didn't flood either so that's a major plus.

Is there at least a "bench mark" of 70%o r 80% of what you believe the value of the home should be when evaluating sending offers?  

My thoughts exactly regarding the market, I thought the large number of available properties for rent was discouraging however my home seems positioned as a better choice due to its location and exterior/interior design being extremely modern, neutral, and appealing. 

The open cabinet design is usually a very modern and sleek look, but the wood that's been used on these looks kinda cheap and it makes the kitchen look more desolate than inviting.Based on these pictures, I would probably scroll right on by as well, if I were an owner occupant.  

That could be a big plus over the competition for the right buyer.Otherwise I just modernize the home as some have already suggested.

Convenient for me and them and makes my keeping up with rents easier seeing as how with modern online banking they can add description (address of rental property) of deposit.

Benchmarking is a useful metric to see whether your assets are performing, and comparing your numbers to those of others is a good way to see whether your money would be better invested elsewhere. 

I know of landlords who had to invest many thousands of dollars to bring it to a level the city would approve - in some cases they force modern upgrades on homes that met inspection 20 or 30 years ago but not now.  

It needed about $30k to make it modern and nice.so our local Bank gave us a loan for $189K on 30yr fixed at 5.7% to pay for purchase and for the repairs.In lieu of the normal cash down payment of 25% they normally require, we gave them a substitute of collateral, in the form of equity in another rental we own with about 60% LTV.All you need it track record a great subject property and some equity available elsewhere.