They currently rent one of the units to stay during when they want to visit the area.

Knowing there are ups and downs and often have to take a step back to get 2 ahead, I really have had more confidence when I have equity as a buffer in all my homes.  

We would prefer to ask them to move(3 months ahead, April-May), revive the units and rent them to new/better-screened tenants but at the same time we are concern about vacancy (although we are in Madison and the area is nice so it should rent fairly quickly). 

You are a thousand years ahead of me!

Don't waste your time doing this ahead of time when you don't know if you are able to negotiate the deal.

I have visited two REIA groups here in DFW which I have been to and recommend.

They have yet to show me a compelling reason to join when you visit their website.

Have u already (visit/inspected)?

I would have done this as many times as I could...but then I got married and my wife didn't want to live through another renovation (she visited me at that house and was often put to work or had to endure trips to Lowes).So being young and in an area with lots of other young professionals like RTP you have a lot of options you could leverage...it's just a matter of what you're willing and able to do. 

It is tough to really get ahead earning $35k a year.