Any advice on starting out on this in the Houston or Katy market?  

Engage an investor-focused realtor/broker in your preferred market (this is not a residential realtor) and start 'tire kicking' the market and properties that fit your criteria.

Found it through a broker on the market.

As an aside, insurance companies are inspecting most properties one way or another in the current market. 

This strategic flip leveraged our market expertise and efficient deal structuring to achieve a quick and profitable transaction.

@Jim LynchSome typical minimum tenant screening requirements look like the following, but it depends on your market:-Renter has a gross monthly income of 3x more than the monthly rent-Minimum credit score of 650-Renter must have no prior evictions-No felons (or other notable criminal history)There are a number of different tenant screening softwares out there such as Zillow Rental Manager, TransUnion SmartMove, etc.Be sure to complete an employment verification by contacting the renter's employer and confirm the details they shared with you, landlord verification (if they have a previous landlord), credit check, and background check.

Vaughn is 40 years old, has a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Business Management from Temple University in Philadelphia, and resides in the City of Tampa, FL.Ms.

Wishing you luck as you learn and grow in this industry!

There's a reason that people try to buy properties off-market and that is because you can find sellers who care more about terms than maximizing returns.So start with a conversation: you already presumably have some rapport since it's your landlord and you've spoken before.

However, the property’s cost basis (what they originally paid) carries over to you, meaning if you later sell, you may owe significant capital gains tax on appreciation.Alternatively, selling the property at fair market value eliminates gift tax concerns, but your in-laws may owe capital gains tax on any profit.