Thank you Ned, that is exactly right, we actually check a condo/townhouse about 2 weeks ago, the thing was a condo with a basement, I cannot tell if it was a condo or townhome, anyway, the ceiling in the first floor was bowing, the 2nd floor, one of the bedroom was sinking, could not tell how this damage was done but the walls came apart from the floor, you could see the roof of the unit bowing inwards towards the structure a bit, and their "general contractor" estimate that for 5k they could straighten the property and level everything, even 1 window and 1 door looked so uneven that you would think  there was something wrong with your eyes...5k for structural damage, good luck with that one, we ran as far as we could from that....but we have seen they do inflate their ARV, since we learned the hard way , we go through these deals with a magnifying glass, I knew I was not so picky, numbers do not lie.Another thing that caught my attention, which I do not know if I am overly suspicious now that I am older, but they want to get the closing for us at the same time/day they are getting the property from whoever they buying it, which it seems to me they try to save on the closing by having a "dual" closing when in reality is just 1 closing and we are the one paying for it...I do not know there are few things that do not click right with this folks.

Overall, it's a good way to get started, but depending on your experience and knowlege level in the buying and selling of real estate you might need more than is offered through the courses. 

There are also some awesome tax benefits that you can take advantage of at certain income levels when you are a W-2 employee with passive real estate investments.

If you are stugling at that level my advice is go out and leran the market.

I know you can't speak legal but maybe there are high level things to look out for.

And don’t mistake on purpose actions for meanness or lack of sympathy   My job after all of the diatribe and crap is to produce the highest level of profitability possible   It’s not to make friends    

So if you don't think you can find properties discounted to that level, then maybe look into STR markets too. 

Many contain higher level ofchemicals (formaldehyde) and others compared to what they claim, especially per LEED standards.

That level of cash flow, combined with the appreciation potential, could definitely be attractive to a new investor, especially if they’re interested in STRs.

How level is the lot?