Also great advice on finding some meetups down there, networking is key!

As an investor, the key really is to find a nice blend of cash flow and appreciation.

Any improvements can also be mentioned but are not the total driver behind your increased costs. 

That is not legal if you happen to rent the unit before the 2 months is over, AND you have to show reasonable effort to try to rent the unit.The key to rental property is continuously occupied units with good tenants, not the insignificant details of how long the lease is or whether you have a security deposit.

@Mark Skaff Here are the basic tools and resources you need to get you started:Listing Platforms:Realnex.com - I useCostar.com - I useCatalyst.com - I useBrevitas,com - I useCrexi.com - I useLoopnet.com - I do not useCRM, customer relationship management options, you only need one:Realnex - I useClientlookApto - SalesforceDigsyMarketing package creator, you only need one:Buildout - I useRealnex - I useMicrosoft PublisherAdobe InDesignMarket and financial analysis - advanced tool:STBD - Site-To-Do-Business (Demographic and Psychographic) - I useCostar.com - Rent and sold comp and market analysis data - I useThe Analyst Pro - Online Financial Analysis toolHP10bii calculatorFuel.com - financial analysis toolRPR Commercial - I useNot all these are mandatory and there are many more that compete with the above, these are ones I've used in the past or currently using now.The key is that you have a listing platform outside the MLS, a CRM to track you contacts, clients, properties and deals, a way to create a stunning marketing package, and market and financial analysis tools.

The key is buying the property right with a decent equity position so down the road when you refi you could cash out if you wanted to. 

I get a drivers license from people renting my VRBO.Have you tried to talk to them on the phone?

Love is the most powerful driver for powerful and positive forward movement while fear keeps us small.

@Andrew Neal The key is try and figure out wholesaling while you still have a job to support yourself.

For DFW it comes as some txt files you download from a server as well as a reading key for how to make sense of all the numbers and letters.