I am  actually in the process of studying for my licensing exam in the state of Texas currently.Thanks you all for your input & it is great to be a part of this community.

I just finished the pre-licensing course for my brokerage exam and I plan to leverage the MLS quite a bit after I complete the state exam in a few weeks.

If so, can you offer any insight as to the dynamics we should be examining or including in our process?

I would recommend finding a contractor, and a exterminator and have them examine the property, get HARD quotes for repairs and deduct it from your offer. 

That's what I'm told however, "affordable" has to be examined through the lens of variables too numerous to list in their entirety.

Check out the following site: https://www.nachi.org/allicensing.htmI'm not an inspector by any means, but seems like from the application - http://bc.alabama.gov/HI%20Menu.htm - you could get your builders certificate (category C) in lieu of taking the examination that would provide an additional source for cash savings if you could be your own contractor. 

Since I'm a newbie myself I can't tell you how much better of a deal you'd be able to get outside of Roofstock compared to inside of it, but definitely worth examining the price differences.

It calms their nerves to pull the trigger. 

If you don't have a current contractor, I would drive around and identify current rehab projects while introducing yourself to the contractor/handy man and examine their work in process.

He is going to have to let people know where to go and see it so that they can do there due diligence.You never sign anything stating that you are going to pay someone before you see and examine the product.