This includes trips to properties for evaluations, trips to Home Depot, etc. 

You can evaluate the additional cost and payback time as if you were paying for heat to get a handle on it but the jump to most efficient is probably not worth it in your situation.

Just like when evaluating a potential purchase you should be performing the same due diligence with rents.

Other than just going in and looking at what's on Redfin.com and using the tools on here to evaluate a deal, is there anything else I can do on here?

I never go off of a flat percentage on anything, I analyze the costs to get to a specific return I target and analyze the risk that is involved. 70% may be an initial metric to see if it is even worth pursuing, but every deal should be evaluated independently based on costs, time and risk involved.

Keep us updated on your progress!

As along as you take the lessons from this and utilize it on your next deals (yes, plural) you'll make great progress!

Texas is also the poster child of land in the path of progress richs being made. 

We help our clients:1) Find a fixer-upper to buy2) We get bids3) Negotiate a Scope Of Work with the owner using "Maintain to the Neighborhood" to avoid over-improving, but understanding we will have to pass city Rental Inspection to avoid being a slumlord.4) Provide multiple jobsite videos to show progress and document WHAT was done and the QUALITY.5) Handle passing city Rental Inspection6) Find a tenant with a Replacement Guarantee per Class7) Assist with refinance, so client can repeatSo, why you looking OOS again?

Franky,Feel free to send me an email I can help with evaluating some options.