While my insurance charges are relatively low each year given this is a condo, I learned to better assess who is behind budget planning at the HOA level for all of the units for roof, cleaning costs, basement improvements (shared by all units), given this was run well by one individual.

I also like your general rule about buying the worst house in a decent neighborhood, and it's been on my mind to do exactly that -- About a month ago, I placed a bid on a distressed house in a nice  neighborhood, but my offer was too low and the competition was brutal.

If you have a real estate attorney you use regularly, they normally will do it for a low price as well.

While this number is overall very low as it pencils out to only about a 4% return per year, I found it interesting that my dividends were twice what the appreciation was considering this was supposedly a growth fund and not a dividend fund like their heartland REIT. 

That said, a good place to start for many investors is with Lowes/Home Depot credit cards.

Which I know is low but am looking for long/mid term equity too.

If you hold the investment for a specific period, you may even eliminate the taxes altogether.Economic Growth:Investing in low-income areas undergoing gentrification can yield excellent returns.

Priced too high, rehab estimates too low, and they don't factor in the cost of selling (commissions and closing costs). 

You’re basically paying high prices at low, compressed rates.  

It’s kinda on low side.