Also I'd look at drawing a big circle around DFW and then considering just outside that circle. 

I have not bought any new properties in years, and don't have a need to, I have almost stopped looking-that was the hardest part...........My wife and I are retired, we live within our means and we have all the money we will ever need and then some.

Open to La Mesa and West Chula Vista, although I have concerns that they will be tougher to appeal to MTR.

I'd recommend looking at other markets unless you find a really good deal! 

I’d suggest you try to keep your payments and number of roommates both lower to avoid losing everything. 

I'd thought about offering 145k and allowing my agent to take a 3% comission ($4,200), use the $800 on any inspection/closing costs, and the seller walks away with 140k.

Wholesaling will not work for everyone, especially not someone new trying to do it in arguably one of the two hardest wholesale markets in the country due to price, experience, and owner savvy (NYC and LA).Posts aren't negative if they don't agree with you.

That will take you more than ten years to recoup that cost in cash flow although you should get a strong bump in value.

Although only light "fixing"-- mostly cosmetic stuff. 

I had a house in an area like this (previous HVAC was stolen while the house was vacant) although it doesn't seem nearly as bad as your area.