We learned that SEO could be VERY profitable, but you probably aren’t going to get the results you want from a “generic” program, no matter how costly or cheap.  

All the people I know that invested with them invested pretty recently, so too early to see what the results are.Looking at their numbers "too good to be true" is accurate.

Otherwise, it looks like you may have 1031'd into "bad investments" for the tax deferment but are now eating the cash flow as a result. 

We have a work instruction we have made for our business which has definitely helped my wife and I become more consistent in our approach which has also improved our results. 

They don't have to share the screening results, but they should share the actual application filled out by the tenant. 

Surround yourself with professionals we’ve mentioned, like title company representatives, and ensure they consistently deliver results.

You did not fix the resulting damage/holes. 

If you saying you want to do this in NY is only a result of you wanting to live in NY - then consider the option that you could purchase an out of state rental, cash flow, and use that cash flow to help payoff a nice rent in NY.

Without boring you with methodology, the result of an in depth study, leads me to believe that this is how gentrification starts.

This months zip codes all produced an ROI of 7%!