All these guys out here gathering info for years on end before they buy something could have learned a ton if they just quit being soft and pull a trigger.

Having wood siding allows for vapor transfer so theoretically you can do what I’m saying, but it’s not the most cost effective.You would also have to consider what insulation and vapor barrier’s already exist.My last thought would be to try to figure out how soft some of the framing got behind the wood rot.

I'd like to go to the local community college and brush up on plumbing, electrical,etc. so I can do that preventative maintenance when tenants are turning (that means on my watch lol). 

The only thing the soft rate increase does is prolong your losses.

Having a wide base of knowledge will help as you look for your first deals.Read about creative financing (no/low money down), read about hard money, soft money, and all the other money feelingsBasically, read read read!

I’m a ground-up high end home developer and a “standard” home on a flat lot, excluding soft-costs (holding costs, architect, permits, etc), my at-cost construction would be between $180-$200sf in LA County today.

We moved out to the Chicago suburbs for work and to have room to start a family and held onto it as an investment property. 1 bed, 1 bath 'soft loft' in the heart of River North with parking, storage, and good building amenities.

Additionally, the GP, claimed that the Rental Market was soft and couldn't find Tenants for the building.

All of us that sound like hard-asses have our soft side too..... it is just part of the journey to learn to balance, just like everything in life.....But when you hear so many people that have so many years of experience all say the same thing, it is good to pay attention (as you are doing :-)

As others have said, the best thing to do, is to remind people that noise travels.The problem is that many people, go from a house, to a condo, they assume its going to be just as queit.Then once they hear a very minor footstep, suddenly all hell has broken loose, and they cant live there any more.People are soft, very soft, and need to be reminded of reality.Too many first world problems