This community has changed hands several times but the management style has stayed consistent  so the value of the homes have risen.

If the tenant qualifies, they get an electronic lease immediately, pay the security deposit and I cancel the rest of the appointmentsProcess I'm considering tryingList apartment on Wednesday Have all potential tenants show up at the same time for an open house style of viewingHave all interested tenants fill out a free application with income info and other basic questionsPick best from the list and send them a paid background checkIf tenant passes then send them a lease, if not, inform them and move on to the next bestAny input on these two strategies? 

We arent interested in older homes that have been broken up into apartments -- but rather apartment style buildings with 4-8 units. 

I've seen a couple of properties in Springfield especially with a sign from the county, something along the lines of "this property is an environmental hazard due to lead, unsafe for human occupancy, especially for children under the age of 6 and pregnant women..."

Life style changes?

Does any one have any advise on boot camp style training seminars to help me understand how to acquire, Improve, and hold these types of Investments

Walk away.In order for the lender to obtain the necessary capital to fund that loan, it has to pass an initial environmental survey. 

I would have to decide between "retiring" (ramen noodle style) being pushed up to mid 70's, or taking the purple pill and calling it a good game.Now I am prepared for this move.

For this situation, you probably want a gate latch which is a regular style handle that locks automatically when pulled shut (i.e. it cannot be left unlocked by accident). 

There are still long-term tenants in apartment-style homes.