Am I correct that a condo, depending on area and neighborhood, could be a lower risk/maintenance investment for an absentee landlord as opposed to other properties?

True although the fires this year just adds to the reasons to leave California (excessive taxation and regulation, overbearing political correctness, downtowns littered with feces, etc.).

Don't expect to agree with everything he says and be aware that no one is always correct. 

If it's on your credit, you are on the hook for it.However, it shouldn't effect the loan process too much, a simple Letter Of Explanation should be able to get the job done with the correct investor. 

Converting your condo into an investment property and transferring it into an LLC is a smart move for liability protection.You’re correct that retitling the property involves Chicago’s transfer tax, which can be substantial.

@Jay Hinrichs you are correct and that is the difference in 41,888 post and my 1,444 post. :) 

Most people don't know how to use a wood burning fireplace correctly - operating the damper, not closing the damper until the fire is completely out, going to sleep with the fire or coals still burning. 

Mike Lambert above is correct about house values in Japan.

Maybe the P trap under the sink is not filling with water correctly and allowing sewer gas to come back in.  

Just make sure the bed/bath count is correct as it can affect the income drastically