I think I read in there that you try to stick with higher quality properties.

Ironically it's much more difficult to buy a quality asset than a cheap duplex, as you are competing with other experienced investors and it may take more time.

Lots of reviews on Home Depot but curious about quality look and feel?

I have to collate a few programs together to get max data exposure / quality.

although off line I have had others tell me that the notes he was pitching were very high risk low quality and he was just liquidating his positions and those that end up with the paper had poor investments.. ??

You will end up with bad quality and unreliable service.

They are still a segment of housing after all.Go back 40 years and the quality of the homes was terrible. 

The best way to protect yourself investing in NYC is to buy higher quality assets and require exceptional credit credentials from your applicants to obtain approval to rent.

But you definitely need to do your own research, times change and some of the things he suggested that were valid 4 years ago may no longer be valid today.Spend some quality time on your research first, I would recommend to give yourself a month to spend 4 to 8 hours a day just gathering as much information you can, networking, making connections before you are ready to go.

Buying a quality property (location and condition) is by far a safer choice.