In the meantime I will optimize my SoCal properties.

Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560, little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

It could be possible they tried to collect rent, and with the tenant knowing she's leaving, chose to not pay.

There are two idea I’m batting around in my head right now to get started on my REI journey – I can do it purely on the investing side and become a private lender or a source of hard money loans to builders/developers (maybe that looks like funding a construction loan collecting interest payments while buying time to better understand the dynamics and build relationships) or I can JV/partner with a builder and get equity (upside on a flip/sale) which would be more hands on.Curious what ya’ll input, what you think is the best route for me to dip my toes into REI given my aforementioned situation and current market.

Good chance they don't pay the owed amount, but you can probably also count it against their deposit and then send the balance to collections if they refuse to pay. 

After this tenant leaves, you must clean/repair, market, screen applicants, select an applicant, collect the deposit and rent, get them moved in, etc.

What is a good software to use to keep inspection,rent collection organized Thanks

We either collect at renewal or at move out through security.

@Luis Herna, while I am not overly certain about TX's nuances, but they sound similar to Ohio, if you are collecting a commission, whether a fixed amount or a percentage of sales price, you are brokering deals and require a license.In my market the grey area solution is, like Daniel noted, actually close on the deal in a dual closing transaction, or formally assign the contract with an assignment fee tied to it.  

Wondering if you have any particular online companies you recommend that checks evictions, credit reports, collects rents, provides a lease, etc... all in one place. what are some of the pros and cons you have experienced with each company. thanks