Many cities rules are limited to their city limits and counties can have different regulations or conditions to meet eligibility (often requiring more time and expense.) 

Also if there was damage to the property were they required to have renters insurance?

I am in town looking at infill lots for our floorplan and build to rent product offering. looking to connect with anyone who is here and can meet us at some of the lots. we specialize in affordable housing units for rent and resale and build on scattered site infill. looking at the greater tampa metro with 5-6 counties all together. please send me a message if so while we are down here I have some questions mostly relating to utilities, frontage requirements, setback requirements, typical build times, and areas of most interest. we do this in Columbus Ohio right now but aren't seeing a lot of interest from institutions which is our main target. 

By simply making the requirement to make vacant for closing alone with typical "time of the essence" language the buyer has the option to walk away if the seller hasn't met their obligation but can also hold the seller to the contract or work the deal further.

However, house hacking is still possible, although it may require some creativity and strategic planning.

Be careful contacting delinquent borrowers in states where your actions could be construed as foreclosure consulting, which may require a license and may subject you to civil/criminal penalties if you run afoul of the law.

Requirements for Registered Agents: Recognise each state's criteria for registered agents.

Your PM fees will also be less per unit for a multi unit vs single family.Tenants in multi unit buildings share walls so there is always the potential for noise complaints and neighbors that simply can't get along with each other.If you run into financial difficulties, it is much easier to sell off one or two SFRs than it is to sell one big multi unit.Traditional lending is much easier right now for SFRs vs multi units.  

One advantage you'll have over people doing a regular FHA purchase loan (non 203k FHA rehab loan) is that when you go towards purchasing a 3-4 unit property and have to deal with " FHA Self Sufficiency," Rule you'll be able to use future market rents that are appraised on with after repair rents (way higher than your acquisition rents probably).This makes it easier to make your FHA loan qualify especially if you buy a good deal that has big rental income upside (your proforma future rents are way higher than your acquisition entry rents).FHA SS rule is required to qualify a FHA loan when its a 3-4 unit property, this doesnt apply to 1-2 unit FHA loans.Even on 203k FHA loans you'll need to meet FHA SS rules (3-4 unit applies to).

I have a listing for one that I think could be converted into a duplex plus a small mobile home park, but I don't know the clearance for services and the dwellings required in Texas.