When the water sits still it becomes non-potable very quickly, but if it has a strong current it is safe to drink, because there is no germ that can grow without sitting still" When your money sits still in a savings account it weathers in the storm of inflation.

I'd be leaning more toward repairing it and if replacement was needed down the road do it during a "break" in both the hot and cold weather (I'm assuming this is also a gas pack although it may not be).

Definitely sounds like you are on the right path to get started.My opinion, house hacking is the path of least resistance to get started and is also the least risky. 

The latter change is meant to reduce roofers’ opportunities to identify damage they can pin on past weather events, like hailstorms or hurricanes.Still, those changes might not reduce claims and lawsuits for several years, insurers say, if attorneys are allowed to pursue claims for old losses under the old rules.The Legislature provided the Department of Financial Services $1.8 million specifically to investigate property and casualty homeowner insurance fraud.Department spokesman John O’Brien said the money will fund two squads of detectives at the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services.Meanwhile, several insurers, including Citizens, Security First and Tower Hill, are pursuing claims under Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act laws, developed to fight organized crime, against roofing companies they contend are engaging in fraud.The problem of roof-based coverage denials and ever-rising claims costs might not be solved until the concept of homeowner insurance in Florida is revolutionized, said Paresh Patel, CEO of HCI Group, which includes Homeowners Choice and Typ Tap insurance companies.Patel envisions a day when homeowners most likely to file claims for repairs, like roof replacements, are allowed to buy more expensive policies that are designed more as home maintenance coverage.

Trekking through the weather only to have a client text me minutes before the showing, saying its too snowy After I just drove past her house.

That was weather related instead of Covid related. 

The actual amount could be higher or lower depending on some factors like weather (heating/cooling costs), how well maintained the property is (most cities require certain services like pest control), and how many people live in each unit.

JV with another investor is the path of least resistance.

With bonus depreciation, investors get to enjoy “tax-free” income from a predictable strategy while they are invested, and offset qualified passive income from other sources.Mobile home parks are already known for their recession resistance and ability to deliver consistent cash flow, but their tax efficiency is yet another reason they are one of the most attractive investments in real estate.All the best, Jack

Also, you may have a little trouble if you're thinking of replicating your strategy from Appleton here - something you should know about Houston (and several parts of Texas) is that the weather + soil composition often leads to home foundation issues.