Household growth year over yearC.

Typically Core assets are used for solid relatively risk free capital growth, value add and opportunistic assets essentially utilize stabilization strategies to generate optimal terminal value at disposition.At the end of the day its all about risk/reward.

Deciding whether to retain a property with significant equity but no positive cash flow in a market like Houston, known for long-term appreciation, involves considering factors such as the market's growth potential, the extent of cash flow deficit, tax benefits, equity leverage opportunities, your investment horizon, market conditions, and your overall financial objectives and risk tolerance.

Buy in good areas, favorable landlord laws, population growth.

I can sympathize with you, my transition has been unsettling, a growth experience, and just plain strange.

Different markets experience yearly price growth that vary drastically; this may soften the impact of negative cash flow in markets were average values are extremely pricey compared to the national average. 

I'm leaning towards AppFolio because it supports more growth.  

A lot of these areas hardly appreciate at all and population growths are smaller, so the amount you put into a property will be mostly what you get out of it if you sell.

Do I take advantage of the area's growth and since also can be used commercially perhaps rebuild a place of business such as a bar or restaurant?

With 20% projected growth in population over next 3-5 years, its only going to get more difficult finding great deals but persistence and being immediately ready to make solid offers (cash or financing on hand) will pay off.