The amount of premium you pay monthly could be averaged over the total duration of your mortgage or can decrease based on the amount left at risk.Like most term life insurance, they are usually cheap (if you are reasonably young and have no preexisting medical issue).

Industrial, Residential, Commerical (retail, storage, mixed-use, medical, etc).

Since you live in Houston, you likely know the secondary and tertiary markets in the surrounding areas better than many other investors. 

I'd suggest other strategies, like house hacking and/or buying in markets with better appreciation and a better tenant pool (personally, I've found that doctoral students and medical students often make excellent tenants, assuming that your rent is in-line with their relatively low pay).

On a side note, Reading PA should be developing a casino in the near future and the legalization of medical marijuana will be in full effect by July 2018 (according to my physician).

The exception to that would be near KU medical center in Rosedale.

If you take the time to clean up the house, make an effort to keep maintenance up to speed, and provide that clean and (mechanically) safe place to stay, you'll find that your tenants will take pride in their home.I also spent time working as an Emergency Medical Technician at a local hospital her in Colorado in 2000 and 2001. 

Utilities, medical, food it makes no difference if they are going to owe money to someone it may be their landlord but it won't be me.

Look for declining markets, especially tertiary markets. 

I know of people from other countries who have some for reason- sometimes medical- rent properties wthout any problems.