You locate a property you want to own, let’s say the seller is motivated to get out because he has had no success in maintaining tenants and tenant turnover is killing any cash flow.  

I totally understand that houses need to be maintained - no matter how they're built. 

Repairs generally include work that maintains the property in its original, operating condition without significantly enhancing its value.

Typically one of the owner's children are the trustee of the revocable trust, he/she can take control of the properties, appoint another sibling or sell or do maintain them.Can someone guide me or point me to a legal expert for this specialization in Virginia please?

Keep rent a little bit below market and keep the property maintained and you can get great responsible tenants. 

The situation seemed straightforward: a family was facing foreclosure on a well-maintained home.

If it was on MLS, make sure you maintain your finance contingency (which basically maintains the appraisal contingency).  

You could get new construction with your VA loan and when you move on in a year or so, have a virtually brand new home that will be very little upkeep to maintain when you put tenants in there and typically, you will get higher rents in a newer construction home. 

"The 123 Main St Trust"4.Set up a C-Corp in the state where your property is to avoid being taxed as a dealer and maintain coverage under that state's laws.Depending whether your property is a flip or a rental would determine how you structure your entities.This structure would benefit you both tax and liability wise.

Rent stabilized and rent controlled tenants may apply to DHCR to have an order issued reducing their rent obligation to $1 to maintain a possessory interest in the apartment until it become habitable again."