I also put a sign at the intersection offering the same thing.

@Cheryl J McGrath there are many calculators, spreadsheets, and resources out there for analyzing properties, but there's no fool-proof app that can tell an investor everything they need to know about a property--because REI involves a LOT more than just data.For instance, a musty smell in the basement caused by water intrusion, a neighbor with a loud barking dog, a floorplan that's awkward but that could easily be re-arranged, significant settling, the location of load-bearing walls, the routing of electric, HVAC ducts, and plumbing  --these are just a few of the MANY factors that might cause me to buy (or not buy) a property, but none of these factors will be conveyed in data or on an app. 

I want to house hack to kick off my investing portfolio, but am unsure of the route to take or if it even works well in the Dallas area.Thank you,

Cut the cord now to cut your losses.In your case, with a nice home and bad tenants, I'd try the "cash for keys" route.

@Clint Harris@John UnderwoodHey Clint to follow up on what John said, why would you go the arbitrage route of signing a long term lease and operating a short term rental, if you have the option to just buy the place, do the work - and operate the STR yourself?

Also do not give a vacate reason if you decide to go that route.

More the principle  Glad you are taking this route rather than gambling with an HOA.

Generally for BRRRRs, people say to take the heloc route, because then you are only paying interest when you are using the money.

Within general labor/trades and carpentry, I would caution in going the union route which seems to be one of the more mainstream career trajectories after getting an AS say in a certain trade. 

In order to determine which route is better you need to run comps on the ARV of the property.