Do I at least seem to be picking reasonable properties?

The tables have turned and it's a buyers market now with values flat or declining, much longer days on market, price drops, listings expiring, very rare to see full price offers on new listings, etc. 

Quote from @Mathius Gazi: I picked up a two family last summer in New Haven and it is doing absolutely fantastic.

After having managed in both New Britain and Hartford, I would pick a nice area of New Britain over a Nice area of Hartford - unless you are speaking specifically of the West End of Hartford. 

I think the market will pick up in 2025 as a whole but 2024 was a big dud. 

-why not pick a market closer to home? 

After 2 emails and no reply I marked them off my list.

However, if you made the property available for rent in 2024—meaning you actively advertised it, listed it, or had it ready for tenants—you may be able to deduct certain expenses like mortgage interest, property taxes, maintenance, and depreciation for that period.

that's a pretty intensive list more than most home inspector bring 

For example, say it were a 2bd/1ba property, I would just list it for 1 nurse to stay and I would hit my cash flow goal.