Perhaps she thought that a contractor would be able to ball park reno costs and that somehow that would factor into the kind of offer I made?

I believe Austin home prices will continue to climb, but no one has a crystal ball and just like in any market there are good investments in Austin and bad ones.

But, as RE goes, curve ball and 2 solid money guys opted for the next one.

Jonathan had a great suggestion; be ready though for your seller to ignore a "low ball" (in their mind) offer or counter in an absurd way. 

A landlord must repair a condition if a tenant gives notice of a condition, the tenant is not delinquent in rent payment, and the condition materially affects health or safety of the tenant or is due to the landlord’s failure to supply hot water at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

I did it for a year and it was a great way to get the ball rolling.

Any resources, experience w/the city, ball park costs to get started you can share?  

What ever do just keep the ball rolling.

My husband and I are in the middle of our first two rental property purchases in Syracuse, NY, and are thrilled to be getting the ball rolling.

I learned that no matter what curve ball the market (or my lack of research) throws at me, there is a way to make it work.