When it comes to management, I would be taking on a more active role in day-to-day maintenance, tenant acquisition, renovations, etc. 

You could also get involved with your local REIA and try to partner up with a more experienced investor, depending on what you can bring to the table, in terms of value add. 

Might need to just get to a more informed person at the lender to ask these questions, or get your attorney involved. 

Or is there a more efficient method to do this?

If you have a more extensive full gut rehab you need drawings depicting the work to be performed and material specifications.

I could pass this along directly in the cleaning charge, but I feel like that is a more visible competitive differentiator.

I do that by upgrading the property, making it a more desirable place, which often allows me to get higher rents too. 

When I was a more active buyer, in my area I did similar deep dives into the HUD/REO markets and courthouse sale data based on Substitute Trustee filings.

I have had some success going through someone named Kim Butler in my local OKC market, and she is usually able to shop multiple insurance companies when I run into a more unique scenario such as multi-unit properties.

The rent to price ratio's look really good for Texas (as well as compared to national levels) and my models cashflow at 20% down if the rate is at 5% or lower, really at the current rates its more breakeven but there Refi potential over the coming years and there is appreciation upside in my opinion with the new Tom Thumb, HEB, and Target breaking ground this year making Forney a more classic style suburb.