So get that unit rented ASAP if its empty.Now, if their stuff is still in the unit and they are just avoiding you, that's a different story.

I am still learning about the area, where to look and where to avoid. 

Even in the same city, I've had some that are responsive and helpful, others that are combative and difficult, but most are slow and bureaucratic.While I will take Section 8 tenants, I generally try to avoid them.   

@Aimee Knier The coffee move seems a bit over-personalized to me and you want to avoid that at this point.

Are there any areas within Lufkin that you'd avoid investing in?

We purchase and rehab everything and fix it to the 9's to avoid unexpected capital expenditures.

@Matylda Lis a word of personal advice: I would avoid partnerships until you've established yourself as an investor and know what you're doing.

Control every little thing - so you can avoid unnecessary fuss in the future. 

It also occurred to me, couldn't I do a 1031 exchange to avoid the capital gains tax?

With what you are trying to do, there may be some structures we can come up with in order to avoid the securities world, but would need to dig into detail.