I had the same experience with Silver Spring when conducting my search.

We want to do some renovation work immediately, and plan to conduct more extensive renovations on the property over the coming years.

I think you should try to conduct some informal market research to determine if your potential tenants think that it is too ugly.First, I would look at the buildings next door and what type of businesses occupy it. 

@Leo Kotschenreuther - To your question about what you could have done differently, I would answer perhaps conducting more thorough research about the city/town/neighborhood you plan to purchase your out-of-state (OOS) rental. 

Found this in My Texas Real Estate Principle 2 Book"TMARR requires that all persons who conduct assessment and remediation of mold be properly trained and licensed by the state.Under the rules, a person is not required to be licensed to perform mold remediation in an area in which the mold contamination affects a total surface area of less than 25 contiguous square feet.

I am sure that they are very knowledgeable about the business but are not based nor do they conduct business in Texas to my knowledge. 

In RI, attorneys conduct closings.  

If you are licensed versus an unlicensed person the real estate commissions view you differently.Even if you are wholesaling you are still a party involved in some way in a transaction.I know in some states you can be a broker right away and in others such as Georgia you have to hold active license for 3 years and pass the tests,etc.Our Georgia GREC commission classifies ANY real estate related activity that the agent underneath you conducts is the responsibility of the head broker.I don't know about Texas.There is no way I would allow any of this activity at my company especially with no compensation.You want all the benefit but let someone else take the risk.If you mess some things up wholesaling and make bank you just let your agent license lapse and keep wholesaling.The brokerage who's livelihood relies on keeping their firms license is the one cleaning up the aftermath.

I am interested most in commercial and multifamily the most and im planning on conducting research and establishing connections in order to accomplish success in these fields.

If you like the numbers, give yourself that 1 year to conduct your research and analysis and come up with a strategy/plan.