No, it's not the 17% that "downtown Austin" appreciated at, but the average sales price in Hutto was $220k-ish instead of $621k-ish, so consider what works for your budget.2.

I heard of the MLS showing accurate Comparable House Sales and therefore ARV but what else does it show with 100% or Close Accuracy and is there anything beyond the MLS they have access to?

We made our offer, but learned they went with a neighbor's offer, and that neighbor's agent had submitted the low price of their recent sale as a comp.

UNLESS, on the contract, likes clause #9 or so... it says all items that are excluded from the sale, if tenants are not included, then it's the current owners to get them out before you close on the property.

Hi- I purchased a house at a trustee sale in September in California. 

Joshua, This one has already had an offer accepted contingent upon an inspection and short sale so third party approval required.  

In order to save in taxes can you sell both properties as a package deal but allocate more of the sales price towards the dollar store property that is eligible for capital gains?

You are talking about note sales.

Try to get on the summer rent cycle if you can.

Have fun - don't take yourself too seriouslylearn the pleasures of COLD CALLING sellersread financial newspapers - look for auctions - law suits -failure to pay taxes notices and business opportunitiesSearch tax sales - attend tax auctions - read probate adssit in court - listen to cases - find motivated sellerscreate a Fiduciary Buyers Broker agreement with smart agents - pay them for non-listed real estate.don't waste your time with non-responsive agents - brokers - lenders or sellersbe demanding - get answers - don't be passive - at our age (I am 75) we don't have time to waste!