That I can make something of myself in this world, and give a better life to my children and If I am lucky to find great fortune, invest for the betterment of my local home town.What I can say to new investors who are looking to get started, be carful who you trust, and if you come from nothing like me understand nobody cares - and this lofty idea of chasing the American dream is an internalized emotion not many can relate to, especially in this field where some people some from old money, and have multi million dollars... they simply cannot relate to you.

I would check as best you can before you even contract, but also for sure once you do contract and have the documents in hand.While there are some places for $150,000, there should be relatively few of those any more, certainly in buildings that have long term potential. 

Single-family homes benefit from a larger buyer pool, appealing to families and owner-occupants, which makes them easier to sell.

I shifted from investing with a cash flow focus to the appreciation and tax benefits side of things.

Handling Unforseen DelaysA clause should address unexpected events beyond human control, including weather-related delays, natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, or unforeseen structural issues.

Welcome @Jacqueline Henderson - relatively new here myself.

With 4 properties in different location, you have 4 time more chance of RE appreciation.To maximize returns, leverage tax benefits like depreciation, mortgage interest deductions, or cost segregation while considering your ability to handle management demands and market fluctuations.

The benefit of a permit and inspections is to have an independent party verify work. 

I don’t think you’re getting $2k worth of benefit, much less $16k every single year. 

You can find real estate investors groups, real estate agents, and other things related to real estate.