My children are second generation, my son is 32 and has hearing and air company, so they really benefitWhen I bought my first house, I worked 9 months in evenings and weekendsMy passion is not SheetrockBut learning to do it saved thousandsAs common guys, we make money working overtime.  

Whenever I meet a new buyer I ask if they're from Utah or not to gauge how they'll feel about air quote ghetto areas

lnf abingdon, bel air, or bel camp? 

A lot of smaller, older 1 bed properties only offer window air and baseboard heat, which is less desirable to tenants.With all that said, Millard is a desirable area, and if the numbers work and you are ok with the drawbacks listed above, I'd still pull the trigger.I talked to the owner of a 4 plex in Millard last week with 1 bed units, window air, baseboard heat, and average rents of $425, and she wanted $200k for the building, which is not even close to what it's worth.

Have them make out a line by line list of items that need,should,or could be fixed immediately like old plumbing,electrical board and wiring,Roof,termite or other insect/animal damage,drywall replacement,air conditioning,water heater,etc.Once you get the cost of those repair items priced,figure out repainting/flooring costs.Then go look at your competition for good tenants and see what they are offering for the same rent.Once you have all that information you will be in a better position to determine what you can and should pay for upfront to begin searching for a tenant.

In my "real life" I am an active duty Air Force JAG (attorney). 

Again, $25,000.As a contractor, you virtually have to hire this stuff out because trying to do all the paperwork required such as OSHA logs, proper masks, good faith survey, air quality monitoring, daily logs, safety manuals, medical clearance before and after, etc. is not possible for a licensed contractor to have all the paperwork done properly.

Duhh I threw 3 chicken bones in the air and spit on it and see how many flies would mate on said bones.

to ease his concerns for allergies and air quality, i paid to have the old carpets in the first floor removed (they were there for 20 years)i am removing all the drop ceiling tiles and insulation in the second floor and installing new sheetrock throughout the second floor (close to 80 sheets or rock).

Think automobiles, air conditioners.