We set a time to arrive with the officer and have paperwork to serve the tenant; (everything you go over in front of the officer) Here in Texas they can do nothing other than observe but they do have to write a report for their department which is a great tool when you sue the tenant for damages or eviction.Good Luck keep records of every text, email at this point do not speak in person with the tenant unless you have protection and witness. 

I'm trying to strike a balance of trying to tackle problems that arrive and not just back out because it's different or scary, and recognizing when it's not a deal I'm willing to do.Any tips, advice or encouragement?!

For example- how did you arrive at your monthly income assumption of $1,500? 

Amy Hello  hello Amy.Yes I have suggestions.See I asked you these questonions as an attempt to help you arrive at your own logical conclusions.

As far as areas to invest, I would check out Bakersfield as one of the hotter housing markets right now, and good cash flow for the State of CA as well.

The later having been done myself for $10 before the new tenant arrived.

I arrived there Jan 2017.

Inspector/contractor/property manager will be the team of experts you will rely on to make an informed final buying decision here. 10) RENOVATE - you must use an airtight process to manage your contractor to protect yourself and arrive at the desired outcome, on time, within budget.

The things we put the most thought into were;1) How to arrive at a 'buy out price' ahead of time, meaning not to come up with it at the point someone wants out.

tstorm that arrives is a chance to provide awesome service so good that it will turn a negative situation into something that your tenants can brag to their friends about.