I would suggest maybe partnering with a wholesaler that is already got some steam and investment, and just asking if you can pursue his leads for a flat fee of the closing profits.. that way you can expand their business, and take a small cut to make some money and most importantly, get an education on the entire process while not having to pay for it yourself.

Is that system steam or hot water?

Not to say the classification and zoning is a universal "everywhere" rule, but it's rapidly gaining steam and I am seeing it being used in more and more cities.

You can try steaming/conditioning them, but to completely get rid of the smell you'll have to replace them.

I’d really like to have a home on an island so I can blow off some steam and disconnect.

Usually the path of least resistance is to house hack a property, live for "free" and save up enough money to press full steam ahead!

Buy one of those hand held steam cleaners and you will be able to clean grease off old stoves all day long.

I generally like investing in university towns because they seem to maintain a steady steam of tenants. 

Stockton is very very bad yes. it got hit hard by the downturn and sell off too. the market around here is definitely pickup up and with a huge head of steam it seems like.

I had DIY shampoo by previous tenant as well as professionally steam cleaned but even with fans/windows open for 12 + hours it still smelled, according to the tenant and the “helicopter” mom when she helped her move in, who was concerned about “mold” in the carpets, due to the smell.