From my experience, multifamily rentals often attract tenants who submit maintenance requests for minor issues since they usually lack the tools or experience for basic repairs.

Other than social doing signs are an easy way to attract. 

The minimal renovation requirements and favorable market conditions made it an attractive investment.

It can go block by block, so having an intimate knowledge of neighborhoods is critical.The key is to not over pay in the more distressed neighborhoods, and to overfill, expecting to attract higher paying residents.Use this link for median income --> https://geomap.ffiec.gov/ffiecgeomap/Gino

Tax sales are a balancing act among (1) the need of government to collect property taxes and, if owners will not pay then, then to provide incentives for investors to purchase the tax rights and (2) investors, who need an attractive return for the risk they are taking, and (3) citizen taxpayers, who should not lose their property and all equity because of small debts and perhaps temporary or at least relatively short term financial difficulties.

Do not fall for the attractive looking term sheet. 

Looks attractive.

I'm now trying to sell my rental in Milw - a market I know Nothing about - so I'm looking for an agent to 'consult' with: what's the retail market like, where's it been - where is it at; how are houses moving; what kind of buyer am I likely to attract etc etc etc. 

This may have made me miss out on what would otherwise have been good financial investments, but it has also never failed me in having properties that attract decent tenants.

In today's market, many office landlords would much rather walk away from their properties and take a loss than fight to attract tenants and avoid foreclosure.