I will give you some of my highlights.People in Texas complain about their property taxes at 3% ours are about 4.5%.New York in general and Monroe county specifically are very tenant friendly.Depending  on the town, the code inspectors/police can be quite anal.Since Covid and the 2020 protests we’ve seen an increase in crime in the city and therefore weakening demand in the city proper and increasing demand for the suburbs.Industry is well diversified—University of Rochester (medicine) L3Harris (defense) xerox (IT) and paychex (software/hr)) and relatively recession proof.Population growth is low and therefore appreciation (except the past 4 years) has been moderate as well.There aren’t many builders in the area so supply is relatively fixed.Home (and rent) prices are both affordable with homes typically being less than 1/3 median household income and rent being similarly affordable.For single family homes at 8% rent will cover piti with about 100$ to spare in the A areas.

The fact is, I need the extra income STR rentals bring in and don't want to leave any money on the table.

You can't deny based on non paycheck income source. 

Interview a couple of management companies and get their income projections, but definitely be conservative. 

I'm looking to start this with between $75k-$100k (inlcuding $55k down) to account for maintenance ect. 

So, I thought I should sell, take the profits and put into high interest account, rent a room for myself for about $1100 per month with all utilities included and that way I can save additional funds for a year.

Credit scores are an important indicator of tenant worthiness, but I have also heard that $60k a year (in most markets) is the magic number/ minimum income number for most good tenants.

Especially with my lower income tenants

Our combined annual income is $150k, with somewhat limited potential for salary growth.

I think that is something that needs to be taken into account when purchasing rental property.