Well first it's perhaps a very dangerous Idea to put all your eggs in one basket.

Ie 100% in zxy is dangerous.

If having to put another 5% down puts you in the cash danger zone, you may want to rethink this.  

Columbus is seeing a 2% to 3% YEAR OVER YEAR population growth, the explosion is phenominal.Ohio from what i can tell actually reversed the decline trend a few years ago, maybe 2010 or 2011 or so.

If the dwelling has no mailbox and has a keyless bolting device, alarm system, or dangerous animal that prevents the landlord from entering the premises to leave the notice to vacate on the inside of the main entry door, the landlord may securely affix the notice on the outside of the main entry door"

They are located about a quarter to .5 miles away from a public park that is considered "dangerous to be there at night".

The security deposit isn't just to cover damage, so reducing it based on the premise the tenant is going to keep the property in ship shape is dangerous.

(Prefer copper, concerned about evidence of rodents in crawlspace and potential for chewing hole causing leak for PEX, but PEX might even be main/only option based on what available plumbers will do, copper might be too difficult/dangerous under crawlspace?

I completely understand not wanting to touch them, but depending on your job history, length employed, and industry you are in, you may find that your money sitting in a low-yielding interest account is in more danger of losing its value than if it's invested in a cash flowing asset. :) This completely depends on the amount of money that is saved and your expenses, so I would need more information before assuming anything though.In terms of STR, I can say that a lot of clients I've worked with have had incredible luck out here in CA.

Louis are dangerous, and you need to spend time in the area and on the street before you invest.That said, there are certainly pockets that are turning around and showing lots of promise.