Credit is important to getting loans and getting good interest rates and may even prevent you from getting a loan in the first place.

It was installed using the same bolts used on stop signs to prevent it from being stolen or removed. 

To address this many states pass laws concerning the sale of a controlling interest in an entity... so while you may think you've avoided paying transfer taxes that is not always true.People also do this to prevent a property from being re-assessed in jurisdictions where a sale would typically trigger that.

Now read, ask and learn everything about private- and hard money lending First to prevent your cash from evaporating.

Hopefully Texas will follow suit so you will be prevented from taking advantage of more people.   

While we are both in Central Florida currently, and looking to partner on our first deal, we both have roots up north.

Might be something else in your contact that prevents renting, but a prohibition against assigning the contract does not. 

To prevent those items I suggest lots of tenant screening questions (back-round check, credit check, eviction search and income verification) and an annual maintenance plan on your properties. 

I have a cash flow goal for each door that should be more than enough to prevent going negative in the event something unforeseen happens.

Them keeping you more informed would have been nice but wouldn't have prevented that pipe from bursting.