To combat the expenses, I plan on getting a bouncing gig throughout the week to bring in some steady, though low, cash flow. 

How do you guys combat that?

To combat this, I would recommend possibly partnering up with someone that has the financial means to purchase with cash or more money down or to offer special provisions such as possibly a free leaseback, large earnest money deposit, etc.  

The tenant has a bit of a combative personality and seems to have trouble navigating resolving conflict - at first, I was thinking to offer him some percentage of his deposit back right away, or wait for some period of time to evaluate the impact of the vacancy and inability to market the place.  

Throughout their lease they have been combative and argumentative and several times have tried to manipulate their way into getting what they want. 

The county staff if in the unincorporated portion would not be supportive and I doubt most likely the neighbors would be pretty combative.

If one or both gets all combative and argumentative with you, then remind them of damages that have occurred at the property since their occupancy (so security deposit is probably gone) and it looks like since cooler heads can't prevail, you are just giving notice to terminate the rental agreement due to Breach on the part of the Tenant and serve both of them with a Notice to vacate (if rent is unpaid) or just the 30 day notice to terminate the lease (if one or both have stated verbal he/she does NOT intend to pay full rent at next rental due date).  

Jason apparently its a live and well strategy in Texas although from one thread looks like Texas is trying to outlaw it... there is a lot of bad actors in this area of real estate.. equity skimming laws were created to combat those who try to do sub too deals and are not able to keep them going or are flat out crooks.. the Groves in Texas I think sell how to as well.

For example a first mortgage where the UPB is 100k and the house is worth 200k will sell for more than a house where the UPB is 100k and the house is worth 50k, which of course is common sense.As far as borrowers go, I think there is a small correlation between equity and combativeness but it's more of a problem with 2nd mortgages than firsts.

(possibly in a combat zone with little to no means of contact) I'm closing on my first rental tomorrow and there s a possibility my unit may deploy some time next year.