The best way to find buyers is to find motivated sellers.Let me explain:The best way to find buyers is to have a homerun deal under contract.

My process has been calling vacant home owners and wanted to start following up with text messages.

My job now is your normal 9-5, but I'm not completely cut-off from the world and still have text/email/call availability.

I can call expired, vacant, lien, pre foreclosure, obtain timeline for selling (or listing if you’re a realtor), condition, motivation, price, and run comps (equivalent # of stories, .5 miles (not crossing major freeways), same # bedrooms, sq ft, whatever parameters you want set). 

Aging MLS inventory, seller motivated by capital gains tax trigger.

Use Facebooks groups, Linked in, or other free resources to find motivated sellers, buyers, new clients, or other assets that don't require an investment.

The owners weren't motivated. 

That being said, I do have a clause in my property management agreements that states I'll do extraordinary hourly work at a pre-specified price ($45/hour for example).Since you're out of town, I'd ask the contractor to text photos as work is completed.  

I kind of just want to tell them to go buy a new oven if they don’t like the one that came with the house.Tenant text: I’ve noticed the oven doesn’t get very hot, can we get someone to double check that?

If you're motivated enough you can also work on your credit to improve it and improve the terms you're offered.