Random things like doc prep, prepaid escrow, school taxes, inspections, flood certs, title company, attorney fees, etc etc. it adds up quick unless you can snag some seller help.

Google map: The street views quickly get outdated so don't rely on those entirely, but getting an idea on what businesses are around and the quality of schools in the area is helpful. 

Now that I am out of school I am in the process of purchasing the property from them with monthly payments.  

@Niccolo Fazio Yeah, they say analyze deals both as if you'd be renting out the entire property vs renting out the entire property minus 1 room or unit (for you).I'm new as well and looking to house hack in Houston, so I've been spending the past 2 weeks researching areas, neighborhoods, schools. 

Hi Greg, thanks for the feed back, and yes you are right, now I'm  not a professional landlord, but I've had 2 other properties there one of which I still own one and I also didn't have any problems placing tenants, the principal of the high school there has been living in the one I currently own there for 2 years now, the work being done is pretty much a total remodel kitchen cabinets, bathrooms remodels,replace the sheetroock in one of the bedrooms re-texture the walls, get rid of a gas fireplace, new flooring, painting interior and exterior light fixtures and add a central heat and air and is a 1300 sf 3/2.The people who lived there were just not clean at all and they just didn't care for the property. 

I take a look at the comps, and they're all in very different neighborhoods/school districts and 6+ months old.

I plan on pursuing a career in real estate upon graduating.

Perhaps I'm reading this wrong but it seems there are two schools of thoughts on these posts. 

I live in a college town for example and as soon as the schools are back the restaurants will return and the brewery industry and the sentiment around town is people can't wait for it.

It's got a big yard and good schools for my kids, but I want to make sure it makes good business sense.