Utilities and insurances are typically much lower than California or Washington and quality Property Management typically runs from 8-10%. 

With insurance premiums for apartment properties increasing so dramatically in recent years, I am leaning towards trying to save some costs by increasing my deductible to the highest deductible possible.

Our property features multiple roof levels, possibly with recent wind damage that we aim to validate for insurance purposes.

Only in the past few years has “cash flow” even been a strategy.

I've house hacked two properties in Reno, NV and it's a phenomenal strategy. 

So, there will be some strategies closed to you unless you are a cash buyer.

Interest rate and insurance cost in Houston will make house hack harder now but it is not entirely impossible. for particular Indepdent Height, arces homes, and highland height is a great area that is growing in my opinion. 77021 near medical center has some really nice streetLook for home that has garage apartment, duplex or big land to put up additional structure later on. look for area with low tax rate and no HOA. plenty of them around

If you have further questions, call your insurance company, they will be able to give you some insight into your liabilities since chances are they will be representing you for a mold claim.Lastly, you can call a remediation company for a quote. 

If you are looking for great areas to cashflow and very reasonable ARV's that allow for value add investment strategies, I can't reccomend whitehall enough.

Is there a creative exit strategy I am missing?