You’re a player in the ICT as a cash buyer if so.

While there had been a small red flag in the back of my mind because of the weak documentation, I became outright suspicious at Seller’s reaction to our request for tenant interviews.

@Brad Van Epps I’m a very small player in this game but I pay cash for those repairs.

You'll want to know who all the players are in the investment world in your area. 

I like business competition just as much as the next red-blooded American, but for me running a start-up STR management company that I started in my garage, and funded myself, I can not compete with a $60 million backed VC company.

Walking distance to Red line, Green line, or Orange line (that ol' debbil transportation costs).

These tend to be boutique firms that are either local or regional.50+ you start to get into more of the national players: CBRE, Cushman Wakefield, etc.These are general trends I see in the midwest, but price is also a factor. 

I will be re posting but tips that apply nationally would be appreciated here anyways all you Houston players! 

Major red flag.

There you should be able to meet and learn from experienced real estate investors about how your local market works and what the role of the various players in the transaction are.That said, believe in CA you have escrow agents and title agents.