I've been looking at a couple different places in the skyway area (surrounding neighbors houses are in good condition) that seem promising. 

I would look for fixed interest under 10% but preferably under 6% and a purchase price no more than similar houses in the neighborhood on the MLS (you could look on zillow or realtor at properties nearby similar size/condition).  

We renovated the house and it's in excellent condition.

I've also had the opposite happen where the bank did let the buyer walk and the property languished for months back on the market.If you used a standard contract, there should be a clause that states that the seller is to maintain the property in the same condition throughout the contract period.

Sometimes, it's simply "over-priced for its condition".

The basement isn't in bad condition, but the wiring is all over the place.

Terms and conditions, such as interest rates, points, application fees, promissory notes, inspections, LTV, length of project, appraisals, etc can all factor in to what makes or breaks a funding arrangement.

The tour starts on the Eastside trail and takes you south, by air conditioned bus, along the trail, with a guide who talks for the next 3 hours about what the Beltline is, how it came to be, the history of the neighborhoods, the real estate development happening (why I went), and what the path of development is over the next decade.

I've sold quite a few rentals by owner, but on principal, not to save commissions.I would recommend having your lead paint (if pre 1978) and condition disclosures filled out and at the ready.

UBER appreciation Texas does not come close to being as good as investment as CA under those conditions.