One that I'm getting close (hopefully) to the end of, was a flip that was a public nuisance property with two lots on either side full of junk (like 10 dumpsters worth..)There was great opportunity with the house, but we bought the other lots as well and cleaned them up (as no one would ever buy the house with those lots filled with junk). 

Pic 36, metal under rooftop needs cleaning, storm cellar (?)

@Adam OrtizRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Are their listings detailed with good-quality photos?

If so, how do you trust you're getting a quality tenant that is safe?

So I offered to pay for the flight, if they returned a clean and empty house.

I’m just thinking I need to start at a clean slate.

For someone that's not as conservative, or a different view on the cycle, they might have a different opinion than me on all of this.2) Sponsor quality check: (takes about 45 minutes per deal)I believe that a great sponsor can take an average looking deal and make it great, and that in mediocre sponsor can take a fantastic looking deal and make it bad (especially if there is a severe recession).

You can even "pay yourself" the cleaning fee if you want to and do the turnovers yourself. 

Build a local team for cleaning and repairs to streamline operations.