You will have to go where the action is.

@Thomas ManningAdding to what Bram suggested above, you may want to go through the Ultimate Beginner's Guide here on BP (link).

I presume that you have a signed lease with defined ending dates, so it seems that you could indeed hold onto the security deposit past the normal 21 days as the lease still has several months to go.

As a graduate of the university, I know first hand the rental rates students will pay as well as the more desirable neighborhoods students would like to live in.I know the area well, and would be happy to help any way possible.Sean

I'm ambitious and ready to go.

Then @Nick B. it sounds like you need to go back and look again with your contractor. 

When buying a rental property from a reputable turn key company, is it necessary to go visit the home before you purchase?

I would like to have some extra margin of safety since Houston rents are likely to go down over the next 1-2 years.Cameron - Since you are from Houston area, are my expense estimates reasonable?  

What caught you off guard, and what would you recommend to new landlords that are about to go through an eviction?

My question is, what's the best way to go about trying to obtain the property?