We have a lot of areas to pick our battles in :)

Lastly, if the HOA is embroiled in a legal battle, it can cause havoc for all the owners. 

Not saying a flow meter can never fail but this will be a tough battle as the city has monthly water readings for documentation and you do not have anything other than assumptions.

BTW:  my advertising lists my phone, I get their email and email the application PDF to them (It's empty so there's no foul). 

Just because I don't like the smell of grilled kielbasa when I come around, I'm not going to rent to anyone with a Polish last name."

Your question is a very important one, as finding great deals is way more than half the battle for successful real estate investment, IMO.At their core, most strategies seem to be to focus your acquisition targets and process to either eliminate as much competition as possible while still acquiring quality properties and/or by developing and leveraging a competitive advantage.

I never have to battle weather elements because my position is inside a processing and distribution plant.

Is it really that bad if you do your screening right and get good tenants in there or is that half the battle, too?

The smell of sewerage from a local treatment plant reaches the property three times a week19.

You won't be making any money from this unit after the tenant moves out if it's not up to code, so no harm, no foul.