I wouldn't be surprised to see vacancies of 45-60 days for areas that have lower demands. 

When building new, it is possible to design and build houses, and larger buildings, with a modest increase in up-front capital (10 - 15%) costs in comparison to the "normal/typical" minimum code build, which have resulting energy consumption 70%+ lower.  

I probably don't have the level of rehab/fix-up experience as you, but I've definitely dabbled.

You need to have your stuff together to take it to that level, for sure!

As we are still working with a lower price point, we aren't yet picky about what parts of town we look in.

Three brief thoughts:1) at some point prices will make new highs. 2) it's been 8-11 years since "2005-2008".3) you're not accounting for inflation, so prices haven't actually reached "those" levels quite yet.

Perhaps some one equipped to evaluate the level of a slab foundation?

So if taxes were $2500 with 20% interest, I may bid $2500 at 20% and you may bid $2500 at 15% and if no one bids lower than you, you would win the lien. 

My wife and I are looking at purchasing our first home/condo, but are trying to decide if we should purchase and live in the home, purchase to rent it out, or try to find a house where we could live in the basement and rent out the top level.

They'll buy a house from some of these wholesalers or wholesale companies that inflate ARV and lower repairs so these inexperienced flippers end up losing money or barely breaking even (which in my opinion is losing) San Antonio has a few pockets that make sense to flip in but people know this and they're selling these houses at a price that doesn't make sense to flip.