The only rules for purchasing a HUD home as an owner occupant are:-You intend to occupy for more than 12 months-You have not purchased a HUD home as an owner occupant in the preceding 24 monthsThe listing agent has zero influence or participation in the bidding process. 

Just keep in mind that there is risk that the appraisal can come in lower than expected when you refinance, causing you to potentially come out of pocket substantially to refinance it.

That is clearly a substantial difference.

You should generate a substantial list of potential leads and stick to sending mail to everyone on that list until they ask you to stop.

That implies a couple of things - First that you've got a substantial amount of equity to be used in your next purchases. 

I have recently found a partner within my network who can substantially increase buying power.

If he has some stock in the plan, he can save substantial amount of tax with correct kind of distribution( lump sum distribution) In general, If his family has a business that has expected loss to nol carryover, that would be right time to rollover the IRA as the tax would be minimized or go away.

If you have not kept up on annual rent increases, a substantial increase can scare a good tenant out.  

Time and expense  substantially higher than planned.Plumbing, electrical, bathroom floor replacement, safety code updates, repair/replace rotten wood, etc.  

Houston is hit and miss and while oil prices no longer control that market, they do have some influence, and oil prices aren't helping Houston at the moment.Speaking of pushing rents as far as residents can tolerate--that's a reason why I don't favor California at all.