Real estate is a roller coaster and sometimes you loose money.

My plan for 2017 is to at least work on 3 to 6 deals, I'm even happy to help finance a few deals for the right investor(s) provided I get hands on training, mentorship, and I don't loose any money in the deal.  

Happy New Year! I am exploring relocating from the LA area back to Texas, specifically San Antonio. I will be working in South Texas, but mostly remotely from home. I am unsure how long I will be there and would like ...

My geuss is if you are starting this conversation you are leaps and bounds ahead of the nightmare contractor. 

Not at all familiar with the area...but try googling property managers in Orange NJ and you're bound to come up with a few.  

Do you think I will end up loosing money on this deal?

Another downside is you loose on the advantages, of the Federal Tax Code, by not closing in the name of a LLC.

I agree with the demand and looking at starting the eviction process as they may not find a place and decide to stay since they have already used the deposit up and now have nothing to loose to stay longer and cost you more money.

A "Right of First Refusal" might be a better avenue, but even those must be done properly so they don't cross over the bounds of an executory contract. 

On the other hand, the economy turns one or both of you loose your jobs and home prices stay flat or dip a bit and that $400,000 home now needs $10K in sprucing to sell for $400k which you don't have because you lost your job.