The major difference is our property taxes make even buy and hold difficult right now. 

Being a solo agent now, without a ton of experience full-time, is very, very difficult.

I am a fairly new investor in the El Paso area and have been trying to establish a solid team and I am finding it very difficult...I'm sure I am not the only one.

You can also invest OOS (I'm investing from out of the country and it's not that difficult).

The massive amount of pre-development work required to get a LIHTC application approved makes small projects difficult to justify.

@Gary Wildey There are numerous factors, and a huge one I would echo is what @Michael Dumler mentioned: if you don't have a team in ANY market (whether in market or OOS), it can add another level of difficult to your investment.  

Also, patience isn't necessarily a bad thing since good deals are difficult to find with current prices.

There are a lot of other restrictions here on owner finance that make it difficult. 

Since you lived in the area it won't be too difficult being a landlord to one  SFH.  

It is difficult in my mind to make an argument for the adjustable rate loan.If you take cash out, what will you do with it?