There are dirt cheap properties out there that seem like great investments in-person and on-paper, but you can get yourself in a bad position quickly if you buy in the wrong area.

I've considered renting current house, selling it and now I'm looking into a lease/option possibility that in paper looks like the winner.

It looks like a decent deal on paper but I would like to know more about Lafayette market as whole.

The property should have positive cash flow of ~$12,300 / year (not counting any paper loss - but I calculated this at $1,300 for year one). 

Laminate that paper and there you have it - plan A.seems like you do not have a system in place. that means, it ends up costing u more time and more money. that's not good.take a look at my site and the last 10 houses or so.. they look the same and clients love them.

Are they tech savvy and can communicate and sign docs online, or I am going to have to drive over with paper and wet signatures.

Paper trails,creating good habits and all when it's a busy lifestyle.

Not just one that does when tenant calls.There are several management companies in that area that aren't worth the paper the contract is on. 

I see lots of folks showing up at auctions holding the news paper so either way works..And if you don't want to pay for a newspaper ... then you hop in the car and go to the court house and Pull the NOD's  some court houses are friendlier than others with access to their data

No comment on your stock market performance comparison - I don't have access to your stock portfolio and am ignorant to your paper investments.