Its never going to work if you want to buy in the low income areas of a city and hire management from outside.

Once you know how the land is allowed to be used by City or County zoning, start working to a "highest and best use" mindset where you find out how the deal can be quickly turned into money by the end user.

Have 2 properties in Duke City.

After all expenses paid the profits are closer to $2k at $8k/month revenue. 5+ bedroom homes in mid-sized cities is my strategy. 

Like @Collin Hays said, it is being driven more by neighbors tired of poor STR owners not keeping things sorted.We only look for places in vacation areas with a long history of owner driven STRs vs big cities and the like.

Marc Mosseau was the leader at this Oklahoma City funding tour I went to and said contact me with my first deal.

I have a client in Kansas City that looks for very similar deals in his market.

Get your focus and understand that before you divulge.4) Quit watching videos for the city, person, or anything else.

Out of your list, I suggest the Northern and Western cities you listed (Conroe, Montgomery, and Katy).

I removed the chimney and added modern HVAC, making it the only house on the block with it, significantly enhancing its value.