How your offer is structured matters as well if you were all cash with verifiable funds in the bank and waiving inspection that carries more weight than a regular loan or using hard money tied to conditions to get the loan.

(b) If the tenant abandons the dwelling unit, the landlord may send notice to the tenant at the tenant’s last-known address both by regular mail, postage prepaid, and by certified mail, return receipt requested, stating that (i) the landlord has reason to believe that the tenant has abandoned the dwelling unit, (ii) the landlord intends to reenter and take possession of the dwelling unit unless the tenant contacts the landlord within ten days of receipt of the notice, (iii) if the tenant does not timely contact the landlord, the landlord intends to remove any possessions and personal effects remaining in the dwelling unit and to re-rent the premises, and (iv) if the tenant does not reclaim such possessions and personal effects within thirty days after the notice, the landlord will dispose of them as permitted by this Section.

I see a lot more reasons for a regular Joe to choose to live in Cleveland than in Chicago or any other northern major city (cost of living, anyone?).

That way someone less experienced in fire damage properties will possibly consider it if you have a contractor already lined up.Don't use a contractor that doesn't regularly do fire damage homes.

I'd like to start here and work backwards through a few points I think worth mentioning.Brandon: repeated and systematic mailings are required in order for the marketing machine you build to spit out deals on a regular basis.

First you need to know what the local section 8 housing agency is paying out for the type of property you have in your area.Voucher averages might be higher, the same, or lower than what you could get renting to a regular tenant.Talk to local investors that deal with section 8 there and see how the agency performs on payments, not screwing things up, and if the case managers or on point or lazy.Wouldn't put really nice things in for a section 8 tenant.

LISTEN where the shooting, murders, and violent crimes are happening on a regular basis.

I thought it was a regular seller at first because the ad doesn't give indication that it's an REO, but then I found out otherwise.

Working a regular job equals safety and responsibility -- Investing in Real Estate equals high risk and a irresponsible gambler's mentality.  

I would love to hear any success...or not-so-successful...stories from any ATX or regular ol' TX folks.