Being a NYC resident (originally from Long Island), the price of entry in the area is on the higher end, so I've been considering some options in the NY Capitol region, as well as NJ and CT. 

@Shawn Questa I agree with you that there could be some opportunity here, but personally, with that little equity in the property, I'd wait for the pre-foreclosure process to start and  perhaps you can do a short sale (though I don't know the details on how that's handled in TX).

How have you handled this situation?

I has two GREAT property managers that immediately come to mind, one handling 5 high end high rise condos I owned in Phoenix and the other one handling a 12 unit very lower end apartment building I owned in Arlington, Texas.  

The key is to work with a reputable QI who is experienced in handling 1031 exchanges.

Currently the other unit is empty and wasn't sure how to handle the taxes regarding this, so I am looking for refences of an accountant in the Phoenix Metro who does house hack taxes.If you have any other pieces of advice or wisdom for landlord and tenant rights it would be greatly appreciated. 

There are plenty of entry roles from cold calling, scrubbing data and find deals for investors, leasing assistant, work on construction sites, office admin, project coordinator, Title assistant, RE photographer, transaction coordinator.. on and on. 

But I think it has more to do with how different individuals handle what is technically an invasion of their space and privacy.

It's good the tenant is talking to you, but I suspect she's just filling you full of excuses and you're lapping them up.Cash for keys is what amateurs do when they don't know how to handle non-paying tenants.

A little more entry but so flexible for accounting.