In CA, landlords provide microwave, ove, dish-washer, washing/drying machine and gardening.Let me know what you think.

Was he under water and unable to rent out?  

Theresa makes a good point above, it sounds like it will be worth a trip to bang out all the little things personally like removing decals, changing light bulbs and air filters, install doorbell, door stop, outlet cover, towel bar, clean gutter, power wash, screw the gutter downspout back on (5 min.) etc.... save yourself some money even with the airfare calculated in.

It took 3 months to finish and get tenants in there when we could have paid a professional and had it done in 1 month, the costs would have washed and we wouldn't have stretched ourselves (timewise) to thin.

Washing machine over flow pan Co detector (garage) Garage Door Opener Appliances 18 Cu Ft Refrigerator Blinds (14) Lock Changes: (smart key system) Four Sets of Keys Got a new PM and smaller fee, about to hit the market!

I’d like to find out if Texas is a good state for buy & hold, or if the property taxes would wash out most of my cash flow. 

First I have to get rid of my AWEFUL inherited tenant.

We can't water our lawns or wash our cars without a neighbor reporting us to the city. 

If it was crappy, I'd fix up the one I was living in, then as soon as another was vacant, I'd move into that one, wash and repeat.

Does providing complementally k-cups/teas, popcorn, spices, toiletry essentials (toothbrushes, floss, bath wash, shampoo, conditioner, soap, paper products, makeup remover, laundry detergent, firewood with firestarters for the fireplace and firepit constitute as substantial services?