If he's going to use a PM, avoid the Capital Region, 99.9% of them are horrible. 

It's a horrible time to consider this. 

This might mean buying a structurally sound house, but with horrible paint colors, carpet, etc.

Really nice bathroom, horrible placement.

@Michael Noto agree there are some horrible property managers.

Theres a lot of contractors out there that are great at what they do but they are horrible with managing the business end.

They were the very first tenants to live in the townhouse after we purchased it and did a complete rehab including new wood flooring (destroyed & scratched), new base boards and trim (chewed & scratched by their dog), new granite counters (stained), new appliances (all dinged & scratched), all new light fixtures (electrical not working & light bulbs removed), newer carpet (horribly stained, smells like cat urine when no cat was approved & torn), new paint (holes kicked through in multiple places), doors have holes kicked through, door handle on sliding door ripped off, etc.

Sucks we are all in this horrible boat ride

I don't recommend learning how to renovate horrible properties while living in it and hoping the tenant never misses a rent payment in the middle of the worst economic and unemployment crisis.That's the beauty of real estate and becoming an Ideal Wealth Grower.

Those newer to the space wanting to quit their jobs might try to syndicate a deal of horrible quality just to get the acquisition fee going in.