So my suggestion is find a few investors to network with, design a marketing strategy, and take some actions.

Most probably, I would use this action as cause to terminate the lease.

@Matthew Spaulding Welcome to BP and I understand that fear can really lock you up form taking action.  

Do you have any ideas what action should I take?

It's the ultimate title cleaning action from what I understand.  

There was so much action on the house I didn't even make an offer.

I will have to spend some time at the court house and see the process in action.  

You're 18 years old living in Houston Texas, about $1000 in your bank account, and you're ready to take some sort of action other than watching videos and reading on REI.

BTW I like offering to meet for lunch to help folks with a personal action plan.  

Money Market Checking Account that I use for all reserves - My current reserves include:CapEx ReserveProperty Tax ReserveLegal Reserve (I have tax liens I may be eligible to foreclose on - at about $2,500 per each foreclosure action, my next year's anticipated expense is $15,000 in legal fees)Repair ReserveTenant Deposits (I don't currently invest in States where the funds need to be separated)Vacancy/No Pay ReserveI can write checks directly from the Money Market Checking Account.