Starting out is very challenging and the key is you must focus your actions on items that bring you properties. 

Also have your insurance docs and all service contracts handy, and be sure you have invoices/receipts for any and all cap ex items over the past two to three years. 

Are these standard items that should be in a PPM?

The reason I made that known was to point out that they apparently did a lot of work on the house, but missed some big ticket items that could keep the house from selling at all. 

The law does not clearly define abandoned but some of the criteria I use is:-Are most of the valuable items removed-Utilities have been disconnected-Neighbors have not witness the occupants in more than 72 hours-A change of address notice in the mail box or tons of mailI would not attempt to enter without notice but it is not illegal to do so at reasonable times. 

Think about the loan being a separate item that the deed of the property. 

I do want to address one item first:1.

What items are you buying in Austin that are three times higher than in Michigan?

The fresh items on the MLS to me look like an investor came in to flip the property usually.

They bypassed a variety safety items, and so while we can get the boiler to turn on and heat if needed, it absolutely would NOT pass a city inspection, and I would 100% not be comfortable with it the way it is for tenants living in both my units.So, we DID have the home inspected before we purchased and the inspector didn't say anything about the boiler.