In Houston the "slums" are seeing active construction and increasing government presence (beautification agendas, active city notices to clean up, etc.) as there is a mass movement for "urban living" within these areas 15 min or less to downtown/medical center.

Also, do you use your management company for every aspect, including booking the rentals, or are you using sites like VRBO and homeaway to book and just using the management companies for cleaning/maintenance?

The selling is going to get a check for the full amount either way (This is a clean sale not a REO or foreclosure).

I would get out of house clean with the bank.  

I am looking for any tips, methods, or other that may help me become skilled in the area of determining the ARV of a property. 

What is a "flip an hold" either someone has given a name to (an) old method(s) or you're getting things mixed up. 

This seems like a non-conventional method, but if they do the trick, I think it's an awesome idea.  

However, in a big snow I anticipate needing someone to clear the sidewalk and do some alley clean-ups since the City can ticket the Owner the sidewalks are not shoveled. 

But good luck getting even "clean" renters to submit to that.

There are pet fees, non-refundable cleaning fees, pro-rated rent, et cetera.