Maybe I could get some advice about finding a partner on the ground to work with in a better market.

SA is a much, much smaller area than DFW, but it has exponentially more HUD listings, and many of those listings make it to the investor phase.  

However, if you adopt the practice I have described herein, you 1) reduce the odds because you remove any grounds they may have, (deadbeats know the system, believe me) and 2) if you do end up in court, you have a paper trail that demonstrates you complied with the lease, addressed any concern they had in a timely fashion to the extent the lease obligated you, and that they were fully satisfied with everything you did.  

In my previous situation, we built bridges, small health clinics, and schools from ground up, currently we do tenant improvements, so still, even with my construction experience previously, there is still a transition/learning curve.

I'd be more than happy to checkout the neighborhood, take some video/pics, of the house, provide as much info as I can, act as your boots on the ground.

I work for a Furniture Store that uses Sign Holders and plants ground signs in Montgomery County, MD.

I connected with Bridge Equity who did a podcast on Bigger pockets and feel I have found some good "boots on the ground folks".

I will be honest, these books are going to get me off the ground and I can't be more thankful...Here is my question:Would I be taking on legal risk managing my Brother's duplex as I manage my own?  

And for basement egress windows the sill must either be above grade or the ground must be excavated and egress stairs installed.  

I'm assuming you have someone on the ground to see the properties/meet with the sellers.