Right now, my plan is to focus on a single niche, and then branch out into other forms of investing after I get some experience.I've observed BP's community to be very forthcoming in the sharing of information and I hope to be able to contribute one day myself.  

I do not know your area, but some areas just do not make good financial sense for renting single-family houses.

Its no different than buying a single condo.  

Oliver is not currently a great  neighborhood but I believe with the development the city and Johns Hopkins is pushing in the area make it a good long term bet.

How is buying a single family for investment purposes different (from a lending perspective)?

https://www.har.com/content/newsroom/Houston Real Estate Highlights in October Single-family home sales increased 4.7 percent year-over-year, with 6,716 units sold;Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes was 57 versus 61 a year earlier;Total property sales rose 6.0 percent, with 8,127 units sold;Total dollar volume jumped 9.3 percent to $2.3 billion;The single-family home median price climbed 3.6 percent to $234,653, an October high;The single-family home average price also achieved an October record, rising 3.5 percent to $294,500;Single-family homes months of inventory reached a 3.9-months supply, up fractionally from 3.7 months last October, but below the national supply of 4.4 months reported by NAR;Townhome/condominium sales dropped 2.9 percent, with the average price up 4.9 percent to $206,838 and the median price down 2.2 percent at $152,900;Leases of single-family homes rose 7.3 percent with the average rent down 1.1 percent to $1,754;Volume of townhome/condominium leases fell 6.8 percent with the average rent up 1.2 percent to $1,550.

If it's as close to downtown as you say, I would bet that they are already owned and not on the market.

An LLC is still a little more expensive than a Corporation.A an S-Coporation or a single member LLC can be handled on your personal income tax return by adding schedule CA C corporation or a multi member LLC must file a separate tax return and have due dates of March 15th.

Oregon same thing its at 100 but that includes 25 to 40k just for permits.. so really not that bad.. and the terrifs for us just affected lumber so our 20k lumber pack when to 30k for a 2500 sq ft subdivision home with builder grades.450 a foot like what he is talking about I have only really seen that in Palm springs La Quinta big 5000 to 7000 sq ft single levels with top of the line everything and those hidden window walls that are 30 feet wide. 

This used to raise the very small possibility of the bank putting you in default (Due On Sale clause....worst case scenario you have to transfer it back) but recent revisions to conventional terms have essentially eliminated this, when transferring to a single member llc.