Rents, based on talking to a friend who has 3 properties in the same town, should rent easily for $650-$700/ month.I’m looking at pulling equity out with a refinance and looking for my next property.The town only has population of 7,000, but towns of 100k within 30-45 minutes drive in all 4 directions.Anybody investing in similar markets out there?

Small-time HMLs may not require an appraisal but this could be because they will drive out and view the property themselves.

Remember, Austin is always going to command a premium and with things like the Tesla deal happening there, I feel like the market could sustain itself for some time.

I have started driving for dollars, and have a small list of properties I'm going to send hand written letters to.

That drive is ridiculously long and boring and could maybe revitalize some struggling smaller Texan communities that are just a day's drive too far for Southeast Texan families to visit on a weekend.

I'd like to live within 30-mins driving or Uber to a major hub airport with affordable, direct international flights (EWR, JFK, MIA, FLL, ORD etc. are examples).

An example of that is to combine personal driving with business driving. 

I’m not saying out of state is a bad choice, but perhaps for your first deal, get something you can drive to right away, get used to managing a property and tenants.As far as investing in LA, I would say, go with a multi unit first choice.

My recent discovery of (and obsession for) the bigger pockets podcast has given me tons of motivation and a drive for action!

I'm impressed by your initiative and drive.