Still working to get my ducks in a row but almost feel like I'm spinning my wheels in the mud at this time.

A 4/1 is often undesirable.

And that's a  fat chunk of change spent on the ceiling repair when the materials cost is 3 sheets of drywall, max-cost at $13 per, some screws, a small bucket of mud at $10, a small roll of paper tape, primer and white paint.

The market has almost nothing now, the Kyle property has a MUD in a brand new community and is at 3.03% which is crazy but a much better home (also 4 beds) vs Dripping, with lower tax rate and 3 beds.

Something is causing the mud to not adhere to the drywall from the attic area."

Especially depending on your approach and if you're ok with appreciation and not cash flow (older houses will have maintenance and newer houses have hefty HOAs and MUDs). 

You may want to think about partnering with an experienced flipper where they could bring additional resources (money) to help make the deal go through.Not trying to be the stick in the mud on your deal, but I've done a number of flips, and have about 40 rental units we manage.  

A bonus "mud room" area at the back of the house features french doors leading to the stamped concrete patio in the fully-fenced backyard.

In addition, some parts of the country have snow, ice or cold weather which makes moving undesirable.

I take dilapidated houses that destroy the value of neighborhoods and attract undesirable elements to a neighborhood, make them nice, add modern amenities, and rent them out to decent people at a fair price that is usually slightly/somewhat below market rates.