But, after about 10 months I started to get a little stir crazy and needed to get my hands dirty so I started surfing HUD and Fannie Mae sites for a fixer-upper.

What should be included in the hand-written message to garner the best possible rate of response?

Hand that over in person latest when you meet them after closing.

If its really something youd like to consider, then take the matter into your own hands. 

I have to agree with @Eduardo Sanabria, a property over $300,000 takes much longer and it's harder to sell in the area.On the other hand, great deals of rent and hold properties are much common in the area due to the massive renter's market, El Paso is full of renters due to Ft Bliss and the universities in the area.Good luck in your next flip! 

That is a far cry from someone working a minimum wage job.I lived hand-to-mouth as a college student and for awhile after. 

Everyone is trying to do it on the cheap.I am trying to start well thought-out Properties, that attract people, that can get repeats and referrals, that are a legitimate vacation destination, that are stunning, Etc.Yes I mostly use second hand.

Equity in your deal is too valuable to hand over for labor.

La Quinta, on the other hand has few if any regulations city wide, but all the HOAs usually severely restrict STRs and those HOA rules can change even month to month. 

From what I gathered, they have one good property manager thats swamped with inquires, no staff and is doing it herself (doesn't return calls) and contractors are a handful but booked.