@Jeremy Hale   this is the way it is in hot markets. 

In RE there really isn't such a thing as a verbal offer, an offer that may be accepted and enforced must be in writing, everything else is just talk, much of it is hot air.

I'm trying to find my first deal but it is proving very difficult in the Ft Collins area because of a red hot market here.

What happens is you buy 1 or 2  it goes good first year then reality hits you find it way to hard an frustrating when you houses are broke into your air-conditioning units are ripped off your tenants don't pay etc etc...

I am a beginner and trying to see if it is good time to purchase a rental property in Houston hot market.

That seems to be the favorite play up in SF, even in some hyper hot markets like Noe Valley.

@Jon Holdman you can't check for leaks using soapy water until the gas is being fed by the gas company; if there is no existing gas meter, an air pressure test will be required. 

I would imagine cold weather northern states would see more movement in spring, summer, fall and perhaps hot southern states would see more movement in fall, winter, spring.

If you hire someone to do your landscape - mowing the lawn, prune trees etc... on a monthly basis, you might want to drop by once every 2-3 months to make sure the lawn maintenance work is satisfactory.I suggest you personally go change the air conditioning filter every 30-45 days.These two combined should give you a good excuse to stop in to inspect your property without them feeling like you are watching them.Add to that the occasional need to go pick up mail (in case not everything is forwarded or changed), as well as actual repair work...you have plenty of opportunity to go inside without any specifically scheduled "inspections".I tell all my tenants up front I will come by every month to change AC filters, bleach the condensate line, throw some ice and lemon peels into the disposer.

It is definitely a hot area.