So you want to start with MF and would like to learn from sitting on the internet, that has disaster written all over it. 

The fact that you went to the internet about this should say something.

That would be akin to a snake eating its own tail.Too much time on the internet can definitely lead to confusion on these topics.  

This is Called GAMBLING.

I've come across a couple of properties that seem to be vacant and through some internet sleuthing I've determined that the owner is absent.

Updated internet system - great.  

so...a long, long time ago, in the days before the internet they used to do "foreclosure" or "trustee" sales on the court house steps. 

First, i would not furnish the places, it will probably get trashed, let them get there own furnishings and make sure that the lease says they must remove them from the property when they leave. i would have them pay for utilities, to an extent - have them pay for electric, supply the heat but give them an allowance for certain amount of months ( especially if you have older furnaces and they run on oil heat ) if they go over then you charge them for it. i converted mine to gas with new furnaces, i include heat in mine, but i control the thermostat ( online, thermostat is locked at the house ). i also provide water / sewer and free internet.

BP is quite possibly the greatest free resource to help you get started in the real estate investment world that there is on the internet.

Hi,   I am new to REI, and have been researching a lot over internet and BP!.