I really see Columbus Ohio as an extremely safe bet for the next 10-20 years.

I have funded i bet no less than 200 deals in the last 10 year that were from Aussies selling their home that is now a full reno.. many of them in their superannuation funds. ( US version of IRA )  just the dirty little secrets most wont talk about.

Your best bet will be to focus on counties or cities 1 hour away from the metro areas.Reach out!

The folks telling you a high-yield savings account is your best bet simply aren't real estate investors.They are people that purchased rent-ready homes from the MLS when interest rates were basically zero and thought that's how things are done.Maryam, I know you've looked at Detroit a bit and we've had a couple messages about that market.

In terms of commercial real estate events, your best bet will be to find events happening in Manhattan - there really isn't much of a commercial networking scene in other boroughs. 

I bet your systems are amazing, and you probably save a bunch in economies of scale. 

The only time we take a bet on a property with negative cash flow is if we have a way to force up the rents or we can force appreciation through improving the property.  

I bet you'll get some helpful answers 

maybe you're losing a few hundred in cash every month, but i'd be willing to bet the appreciation, debt paydown, and tax benefits combined are seriously outweighing that. you could look at this like putting the negative cashflow every month into an invisible savings account for the future, like a retirement account. this obviously only works if you can comfortably lose that cash every month. you could also consider not renewing the lease and doing STR or MTR in that property?

My answer is: doesn't matter-- they'll seek to avoid the conflict and I bet for $2500... they'd pay. now the real question in the OP's case is "is a search of water department's records USUAL AND CUSTOMARY prior to title policy writing and closing on her jurisdiction?