So, as a buyer I would not want to spend money before having a contract.

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies who spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

Is spending thousands on a sprinkler system worth it or do I have other options? 

The wealthy live where they want, the middle class live where they can afford, the poor live in whatever's left over.

@Wells H. you can spend DAYS driving through Detroit!

I've been very slowly investing over the last 5 years, and I cannot tell you how much of an impact this book had on me when I read it last September.

I think this actually happens all over the world, but some landlords will increase their rent to the amount that the US government is willing to spend on rent in that location.

I am not sure what the availability of cleaners in that area so I would spend time right now see what is there before committing to a property.Also, if you are spending 2k a year on fixing or replacing stuff, you are getting the wrong guests.

Instead of spending years learning by trial and error, working with a coach or mentor can allow you to accelerate your learning curve, gain confidence, and achieve your goals faster.

I'm going off the understanding that you still need to spend 500+ hours in the business to achieve material participation (please correct me if I'm wrong).