What I learned long ago is that real estate investments can offer the following: positive cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits.  

If your not paying tax's not sure what additional write offs are going to do for U..

I have not yet encountered a tax year where I've had to work through and claim income for flipping, but that is coming up in a couple months.

If you use a payroll company to capture payroll taxes and all..

I called the county, and was told: (a) that "cove" doesn't meet the *current* definition of a bedroom, BUT for older MH, they go by what the manufacturer classified it as when it was sold; (b) the property tax listing for the lot identifies the MH as "personal property", so doesn't identify the number of bedrooms and baths; (c) the septic permit was made for a two bedroom residence.I have failed in my many attempts to locate any records as to how the manufacturer described this originally. 

By being outside the city (the city line is a few blocks away), you save on city wage tax. 

check the tax records

my monthly income barely breaks even with taxes mortgage etc..any advice is appreciated. thanks

I am 100% Disabled veteran so i don't pay property taxes, God I love Texas, but will that apply to the second home too?

I can put down 25% considering this will be a secondary home.Reason for considering SFH - No prior RE experience, Tenant Class, Newer construction - no existing problems,newer townhomes are priced starting at 420k$'s ( higher HOA and still has a shared wall) Looking at 4000$ max as monthly expense( mortgage+insurance+HOA+ Property Tax ).I say expense , assuming the residence is not occupied immediately (Vacancy) .