What is the interest rate on borrowing compared to the rate you are earning, then take into consideration the tax consequences. 

@Chris Seveney The types of leads I'm targeting are absentee owners, vacant properties, pre-foreclosures, tax delinquencies, and probates. 

No matter the number of units, there is one roof, one property tax bill, one sewer line, one gardener bill, etc. 3.

If you can rent it for enough to cover the principal, interest, taxes and insurance and still put money in your pocket, plus cash flow on the property you're purchasing, that would be ideal.

Don’t want to pay taxes on the capital gain.

House needs some Interior Cosmetic Work, Wood Fence Repairs and some Plumbing Work.I want to turn and run, but I recently heard where there is a Problem, there is Opportunity.I thought this might be an interesting Case Study.Thanks for the Ideas.If they owe $180k on a $210k property and its a year+ behind then they probably owe taxes and other bills as well.

We did that for about 3 years until Jeff informed me he'd fallen behind on property taxes, and all of his lenders called the loans due.

You can use it as a downpayment on a property over $450k and use leverage tax free.

Hey @Nevin Wilkie. have you looked on the city or county's tax records to find the mailing address for the owner when it's different than the address of the property you want to buy?

There may be tax implications to that maneuver, so check with a CPA.