Are cheap abandoned houses worth the rehab?

[Pam Poe]

Hi, I am new to real estate investing. I have found many very abandoned over grown houses in central Florida. Even in ok neighborhoods, I did my due diligence and I have found no leans just a lot of work. They often have to have a safety inspection by code enforcement before power will be restored, and often there is so much garbage and vandalism but they are not condemned. So why are they still there? I'm tempted to buy what I think would be a good deal, a lot of work but still a good deal. I'm not a licensed contractor and would have to do most work myself. I don't want to take on more then I can handle.