I just wanna make sure I have a full understanding on the best way to research a property before I bid and how to make sure I get a clear title.I live in Fort Bend county so for now, I wanna focus on the surrounding counties where I can easily drive the neighborhoods.

Sometimes we can bend those rules if the additional unit can qualify as a Mother-In-Law but again you're getting into a grey area and have to know all the specific rules so you can abide by them in a very VERY specific situation.

Masonry, unlike wood structures, does not bend, flex or respond well to expansion and contraction.

As someone who wants to keep tenants as happy as possible, short of bending backwards and breaking my own back, in future I wouldn't mind putting language in there where the 2nd yr is an option (like they have in commercial leases) where if we agree to 2nd term mutually the Rent will be $x + 5% for y  ----- > where x = current lease amount and y is the future term in months or yrs. 

I am a contractor and will be doing the work myself over the course of year (or longer, depending on the market) while I live in the homeThe market in Bend, while slightly cooling off, is high.

If you have rentals I'm sure you're keeping all paperwork anyway for as long as you own the property.I'm near South Bend, IN and I did remodeling for a company for a number of years but I never had to deal with permits so I don't know much about them. 

As a private landlord you set your own requirements, just be sure you hold every applicant to them and not bend or sway. 

I think what ends up being the mind bending exerciser is the approach to understand the rules by folks.

It’s best not to bend your risk criteria to meet your goals.

I keep in constant communication though and really try to bend over backwards (hopefully I can keep it up LOL).