Since I live in Murphy (northeast of Dallas) the closest REI group to me is the North Texas Association if Real Estate Investors (http://ntarei.com/).

You probably already received an email with a link to it, but here it is just in case.http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingAs was already mentioned, check out your local REIA (Real Estate Investors Association) meeting.  

To better understand the total financial picture associated with purchasing a liability, let's build and analyze some scenarios to explore just what the difference is.

According to the National Home Builders Association the cost or construction for a new 2,390 +/- sq ft house with lot preparation is approximately $318,000 You can search their website for the 2011 home builder survey.

So many people have gotten a 4 year degree stuck with 80k student loans thinking they would get that 50k a year job.

im interested in starting a career as a landlord and I want to know if there are any degrees or classes tht are helpful in the field

Home Depot makes a $40 weed whacker that uses the same 18V battery I have in my power drill, so the frustration associated with maintaining it is minimal.I would second the wood chips, fake grass, and would also throw in pebbles or gravel.  

Even if the city/county will allow you to do that (I am sure there is a cost associated to it), you need to check with your mortgage lender if they will allow you to hold onto the mortgage and what needs to be done to appease them.

Are there any special assessments planned, or obvious deferred maintenance in the association that will result in a special assessment?  

Without exception profitability of each transaction has been slashed because of the ramifications of Dodd-Frank and its associated Consumer Finance Protection Board.