We will pay the Z people for low quality leads, r.com for junk leads, 100 other lead companies for junk leads and try to call FSBOs and Expireds and do anything not to call or not to call people we know. 

If it was going to be a STR I would be more inclined to fix but get a pool company out to estimate.

I've done door to door for 3 pest control companies.

I'm trying to compare prices across different models / companies.

Mortgage company may require the appraisal but what may happen is that you would have to fund 20% of appraised value plus the difference between the appraised value and sale price.

The electric company remounted the entrance cable, but told me I am responsible for repairing the damage to the feeds and meter bases. 

i also run a property management company, looking to expand in to clifornia. 

Are there better companies to buy these homes from?

Let me look into this.Trying to see if it's worth holding on to it in case the housing market recovers.Reach out to a Title / Escrow company for information on Land contracts in TX. 

If the seller's insurance paid for a professional decomp company to clean up the aftermath then you should be okay.