Tenants are more likely to perform well, in a manner consistent with "good" tenants if they are treated with respect and clear communication is established from the beginning.

I WOULD RECOMMEND that you do your own property management if your able to create contracts and interview tenants, and communicate and document information about the repairs the tenants need to make. 

Basically don't fix anything that doesn't need fixing but don't miss anything that needs fixing, especially something which would have been cheap to repair initially but expensive if missed/skipped.The ability to rent appropriately priced houses quickly.Continuous communication with both owner and tenant.    

Your time here will be well spent.Since you did not mention a specific REI area of interest, I added the below links from the three most popular niches for your review and selection of one or all, while waiting for local Nashville connections.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Based on the communication my workout specialist had with the wife(who is no longer responding and apparently is separated from husband and doesn't live in house) the house may be rented out.

Are you looking in Pearland, or all over Houston?

The two biggest factors here are having the right team in place to do the work and maintaining quality communication with said team.

Do You Have a Single Point of Contact or More of a Call Center Communication Based System?

My immediate goal would be a place that I can actually live (I'm not quitting my job anytime soon) and cash flow so that a duplex or guest house will cover half or all of the mortgage and i can live for free or close to it.

I sent it to Zack he reviewed and approved the same day, in under 4 hours as I recall.Zack has been great with communication, availability, willingness to answer questions and handling the mechanics of the deal related to the contract, closing, escrow, draw requests and leveraging technology all along the way.