So if you have final judgment which the Magistrate has approved then figure another 3-4 months to have the Sheriff's sale scheduled. 

My background - Pre-approved for $900,000 for a 4 family, 800,000 for a 3 family, 700,000 for a 2 family.  

I know I have heard someone say before that they get an offer accepted and have a contract, then they will go and install a water heater or whatever is needed with there own money so then they are able to get the loan approved.

I am already pre approved for a loan and I am looking to get a good deal.

In Austin, if you are going to do any renovations, plan accordingly for the time the City will take to approve things.

I'd get pre-approved because it allows you to create better criteria for what you are searching for.

If you’re still having trouble trying to decide on a course TREC (the Texas real estate and licensing department) has a list of approved real estate course providers that you can choose from and compare.

There are others that call themselves "condops" which are co-ops run with condo rules (no board approval, open subletting, etc).

If so, have you been pre approved and have a letter showing you can get the loan?

There's a relatively untested way to absorb some but I emphasize it's untested which a long way from either approved or disallowed.The theory is that if the improvements are less than 10% of the value of the property you are buying and the improvements are things that would normally be associated with a structure (roof, A/C, flooring etc not furniture or a car in the garage).