- Should I pay taxes, Insurance, and HOA fees myself to ensure they are paid?

This matters because if I’m getting financing, or to ensure the association is solvent.

Sounds like it does not have proper cleanouts, either, making it difficult to get a cutter in there. 

@Jermaine Riggs   Remember the 6PsPrior Planning Prevents P*ssPoor Performance There are steps that you can be taking today that will better ensure you will be able to qualify for the best of terms on your purchase in TX.1. have a Mortgage Broker run a Tri-Merged MORTGAGE credit report and pay the extra $15 for them to also run the "What If" score increase simulator to know how best to pay down debt in the interim2. start eating MREs and saving like a maniac until you close as the more money you can show in reserves Post-Closing, the better the programs you can qualify for.etc,etc,etc,   

Did You give the tenant proper notice of the ownership change along with where to send the rent?

Whenever you are buying a property out of state you should do a few things to ensure it's as smooth as possible.

I'm not sure what the proper steps are since I'm going to be moving to a new area.

As most things, key is buying right and ensuring that you have the right relationships to do so. 

If positioned properly, probably more profitable in 5 years in comparison to most cash flow investment strategies.Here's my take on the matter.1.

It's about learning how to buy wholesale from as many sources as possible and ensuring you have a lender who will refi when you're done rehabbing.