This might be due to the TK operator activation.

I hope to one day find someone who has been and continues to be successful in the Houston real estate market, primarily operating within the realm of single family properties (buy and hold, cash flow generation) and has a proven track record. 

My bank does not operate like that.

Best bet in any market where you are looking to invest is to find an investor friendly real estate agent that operates in that area that can be your eyes, ears, and boots on the ground for you.

I dont know Texas law, but in the markets I operate I generally think it is a bad idea for a wholesaler to be licensed.

Thought that might be helpful as you scale your operation!

You need to approach it from the perspective that it is a specialty market and requires somewhat different screening, management and operation practices than the norm. 

If that's their typical deal, they do a decent rehab, and they act as the property manager post-sale, it sounds like a solid operation. 

Seize the equity now, but is it better to get a cheaper invesment property to make a ****** $200 a month with loan paydown in a poor neighborhood, or purchase another property I can afford in an area that does not take big hits in the down turn, and appreciates well. essentially I am gambling on appreciation.I am getting paid 3k a month this year alone in appreciation, it wont always be that way.

There are other threads on cross-border accounting on BP that also give some recommendations of accountants that others use for their cross-border investing.I would strongly recommend consulting an business attorney knowledgeable in cross-border entity creation as well that can help guide you regarding the pros and cons of operating as an entity.Business trips are absolutely tax deductible as long as the expenses are reasonable (see Amanda Han's recent book - it's a good primer on real estate taxes).