I have heard that Mike is an outstanding agent.

then do not return the deposit until you've done the inspection and send them a note saying the remainder is being used for outstanding rent. 

@Ryan Morgan We perform cost seg studies nationwide as well.

@Guillermo Nadal there are real estate investor groups that meet nationwide. 

But, depending on the property you’re buying, you may not need to review every single one of these (this is where a real estate agent or broker can be helpful as well):Population and job growthHousehold median income trendsAccess to public transportation and amenitiesNeighborhood and school rankingsUnemployment rateCrime rateBusiness openings and closingsNew development activity that could help or harm your intended investmentProperty value trendsFair market rent trendsPercentage of renter-occupied householdsMarket vacancy trendsGross rent collectedMaintenance and repair expensesUtility expensesProperty management, leasing, and advertising feesInsurance expense including past insurance claims, need for flood insurance, and the cost of homeowners and landlord insuranceProperty taxes and potential increase due to change in ownershipProof that any sales tax collected on rent has been remitted and is up to datePhysical property inspections including structural and mechanical, wood-destroying organisms, radon, and lead-based paintTitle commitment on the property and legal descriptionMost recent ALTA (American Land Title Association) surveyZoning or use certificate for property in rural or unincorporated areasNew survey, septic report, and well water report for rural propertiesPhase I environmental report for property near industrial areasHOA covenants, conditions, and restrictionsHOA financial reports including P&L and balance sheetReview of seller financial statements including a copy of the seller’s tax return to verify income and expenses are true as reported to the IRS going back two or three yearsReview of tenant file including the lease terms and conditions, deposit amount, tenant application, and background and credit checksCopies of existing service contracts such as landscaper or current property managerList of all outstanding invoice and proof of payment for all work recently doneLien search to verify there are no existing worker’s liensHistory of insurance claims on the property going back three yearsVerification that property appraisal is for at least the contract purchase price if not moreCompare your pre-offer pro forma analysis to the seller’s reports to make sure the deal still makes sense.Good Luck!

Relinquishment of the right to occupy may be implied by actions such as the tenant’s return of the keys to the dwelling unit;(b)After the expiration date of an outstanding termination of tenancy notice or the end of a term tenancy, the landlord reasonably believes under all the circumstances that the tenant has relinquished or no longer claims the right to occupy the dwelling unit to the exclusion of others; or(c)The landlord reasonably knows of the tenant’s abandonment of the dwelling unit. [1995 c.559 §9; 1999 c.603 §8]

There are DPA programs "down payment assistance" programs Nationwide that offer 100% financing and FHA offer 3.5% down. 

According to RentCafe, Austin Texas is number 4 for new projects. This shows that there is huge rental demand for the area given the job growth and company expansions. Rank order of the top 10 metros by construction p...

@Chase FarleyPropane was probably done because there was an outstanding natural gas bill when the old heater went out.Hope it's not one water heater for all.

These are all highly local indicators of course.On the flipside, even with renters around, a glut of new rental units could push prices down - although in my particular corner of the country the number of markets where this is happening is exactly zero.With our present nationwide lack of housing inventory and general unaffordability of housing for many - it seems likely that the trend toward rising rents will also be around for the immediate future.