I’m 18 and my current job is my first official job, my other ones were under the table.

I've spent the past year researching, learning, posting LOTS here on the BP forums, listening to countless podcasts and networking with other investors, realtors, wholesalers, contractors, lenders, etc.As of today at 34 years old, without having done a single real estate deal of my own yet, I'm officially onto a new chapter of life and focused on REI full-time. 

But it looks like both were officially rejected.

Also, once I take over, what does the process look like to bring the rents up, do I just announce it at the end of each units lease?

Fortunately, he was a "nice guy" and wrote a apologetic letter announcing that he was vacating the property for legal reasons and was not going to seek a refund.Do not ever take the chance that you will be so lucky...

Being in Texas, keep in mind if you have to defend your deductions it will be in front of a JP Court Judge who is an elected official.  

Ask a bunch of questions of both bidders and county officials conducting the sale. 

You do not, however, want any dealings between the buyer and seller outside the official paperwork.  

The document won’t be officially recorded with the county or tied to the title.

So, I'm not a big blog reader, myself, but I do know the BP main/official blog has won several awards.