Or do we just need to use brute force and call everyone and find out?

.  ^^  We have a number of houses near an Air Force training base, also in Texas. 

Drywall isn't see-through, and there is always something unexpected after you open up a wall.Don't force the numbers, also called eraser math.

We believe that through superior professionalism, lightning fast response times, and unparalleled customer service sales is a natural occurrence and not something that is forced.  

This first rental property of mine will probably help me and/or force me to do better in the future!

People will solve their own problems if they are forced to.

Do the gurus tell folks that our police force is almost non-existent? 

Gary Keller's books which have been a guiding force into real estate investing. 

And now we've been forced to vacate the tenants, and endure very costly repairs.

If equity exists, you may be willing to purchase the property 'subject to' the existing liens and take responsibility for their satisfaction.If you buy at the foreclosure auction, which should be remembered as the forced liquidation sale of collateral, whether by judicial sheriff sale (or non-judicial trustee sale, in other states), you must perform your own due diligence, including researching title for other senior liens, in addition to valuation, repairs and occupancy status.If the property goes to sale, reverts to creditor (rather than a 3rd party bidder) then that creates a situation whereby the creditor/bank turned owner may sell the asset, but not before.