I basically want to see how you guys do business when choosing your sub-market/neighborhood and analyzing deals so when I head back to TX I can move forward.

Same basic requirements as FHA, you must live in the property for at least 1 year and can but up to a 4 unit property. 

Warning: Googling will get you a basic definition but no real practical knowledge or understanding.

Being a novice in this area, some of these questions are probably too basic for some.. 

That's basically where I'm looking now.

Some safety basics: Keep a safe distance between the grill and the building.

I am basically a newbie, so I don't know if title companies have access to other records in addition to those at the courthouse, but they may have more info available to them.Are there any members out there who can help answer @Benjamin Cowles question?

They're basically brand new propeties.

I use 8% (basically 1 month a year) as my baseline for projections but the reality for me is that I have had my duplex for 13 years and only placed 4 tenants so the effective vacancy is much lower.

Basically, the less interaction with the investments, the better.A Checkbook IRA LLC or Solo 401k will put you directly in control of the funds and eliminate the 3rd party layer.