When I’d reach out, I would simply say something simple like “I'm looking for fixer-upper houses and can buy it off market for an on market price.

No different than all the RE agents who put "great cashflowing property" describing a $500k house that rents for $2500 a month. 

Hope all is well, I am looking to Take a Job in a different City And Looking At Housing an Came Across a Home that is for sale.

This means you would need to refinance the current house into a conventional loan before you can get another FHA loan.

I am currently house-hacking an upper/lower duplex and recently had a tenant turnover.

You can run an ozone machine for a bit while no one (including pets, but assuming they have none) are in the house.

@Tomcy Varghese Just chiming in becuause although I'm not an agent in Texas we build duplexes and tiny houses in Indy and the midwest (often on vacant land) and would love to connect with others doing anything similar. 

I got a quote for $3100 per year for a 2400 sq ft 1980 built house which seems very high.

"letters")  as you have pictured it,  why would anyone believe you can buy their house in cash when you can't even afford a damn printer to at least TRY to come over as financially stable credible and legitimate.Yeah right?

But I'm now considering selling that Merced rental and using the equity to buy a San Diego house that I would use as a 2nd home/vacation home & rental.I would rent out a portion of the house & save a space for myself when I visit.