With home prices on the rise in a large number of markets, including Austin real estate, stats are showing that just about every Tom, Dick, and Harry have been taking a stab at making some extra money by flipping homes.According to the Wall Street Journal, the first nine months of 2016 had the highest number of investors flipping a home since 2007.

On top of that, I was able to retrieve the data from a realtor of the past 90 day sales, that confirmed my hypothesis that the area is suitable for fix and flip.With that being said, I found an REO that has been vacant for at least 6-7 years, that is right across the street from me.

That way strange street traffic doesn't just walk in without being pre-qualified over the phone.

A 90 second walk to downtown Broad Street, the hippest coffee shop in town, etc.

Just because you spent some money exploring opportunities in the state does not constitute business activity, so I think your fine, I agree with @Scott McCadden that I would set up an LLC in Texas if you do end up purchasing a property, or may want to explore using a land trust to hold th property which may avoid this issue all together, this has become popular in FL, but not sure if they work similar in TX.Hope this helps good luck

only mentioning it here because its right up the street from the Bishop Arts.

Just up the street from you.

House #1 is a brick house in a quiet neighborhood in MD (next to a round-about), with 4 on street parking spaces, and room in the back, only grade is out front. 

There are also several companies that are popular among investors here in Austin.

Every state has some built-in bankruptcy protections for some of your assets so that you're not out on the street.