I believe the biggest arguments against Portsmouth are the high local taxes and of course the crime.

I would highly recommend you look at Tampa.

Many tenants dont turn it on because it is loud thus after a hot shower they open their bathroom door and the steam goes into the room or closet and gets trapped creating high humidity. 

Highly doubtful.PS.

Can you please share what areas are the best to invest in in this current market of high interest rates and low inventory?

We are not familiar with the Charlotte area but these 2 areas come highly recommended.

Taking on a large first deal with no experience, no resources, no money : high risk for the lender.  

Hopefully, you can better time the market and sell high and buy low when you find a deal. 

I am a little concerned about the high property taxes in Texas.

Anything a carpenter can do is comparativley cheap to the above.It can be done if it is a great house in a high value location, but frankly probably more eonomical to tear down and build new.