The area has little job growth since the oil bust in 13 but is slowing coming back up here recently.

So these days, you don't have to drive very far in Houston to spot crews of local dirt contractors out there widening/expanding/improving bayous, creeks, ditches and what-have-you.  

Consider making the drive to the new home during your normal commute times to ensure there are no unexpected delays. 2.

There are agents on this site, you may be able to connect with- Sounds like you have the drive and you want to invest which is great.

I made the two hour drive and did 6 showings with them one day.

Lastly what you will see is that civilization has come out to these places when you drive by and see some desert rat in his or her Mobile home stuck in the middle of no where that 95% of the time is on one of these old platted lots.. some areas Like some of the Lake co California areas town actually grew to them sewer and water and paved streets put in and houses builtBut for instance above Lucerne there are 7 thousand platted lots and I think 3 homes.. lots are 5 to 7k sq feet.. it was uncanny how they surveyed and platted them way back when .. this terrain is quite step but the road follow correct grades although some lots even with today techniques would be near impossible to build on.. 

Otherwise IMO West Coast LA, would be a good choice as it is where East meets West in the largest market  ( most future growth)  and the rest for talent attraction reasons maybe.

Whatever you do please do your due diligence, and really drive the area here and get to know the neighborhoods before you purchase or build.

LTV on this property won’t matter.....driving matters much more.

Drive around your neighborhood and look for vacant properties.