I have been looking at several communities but am having some trouble deciding on which region would appreciate best, while still maintaining the return I need.

Currently living rent free in my place until licensed to see patients and I am stationed some place else.I still owe $28k on the property and property taxes are at $2,300/yr (significantly higher than my property in SC.)I would like to hear thoughts on whether this property is worth maintaining in my portfolio as a rental.

I have the tenant pay ALL utilities, cut grass, maintain yard etc.

Maintain your goal to purchase Late'17/Early'18 but also be prepared to pull the trigger if something great comes up sooner than expected.  

There are plenty of very real moral dilemmas that you may regularly face in Real Estate Investing, but raising rents to the market rate on a well maintained unit is NOT one of them IMO.

That way, they're likely to use it for something that will help maintain my property. 

The accuracy is more dependant on the type of property and has nothing, or very little, to do with the value.A SFH will generally, over the life time of the property cost 50% of the rental income to maintain the property.

I agree completely, can not understand the mentality of landlords that are too lazy or actually fear operating their business, especially those that think having a good tenant requires charging under market rent to maintain that tenant.

I borrow a friends RV and pay $550 a month for the RV spot in Houston.I want to downsize my living space, and maintain a presence in DFW although I work in Houston.In DFW, I am debating on 1) selling my home and buying something smaller or 2) keeping my home(good location) and turn it into a rental, and buy something  smaller with less upkeep.

Otherwise, you'll be at risk that the neighborhood will turn down as renters have no pride of ownership and won't maintain the homes like owners will.