Don't replace old elevators unless you have to

Ask if they have an elevation certificate to certify if the finished floor elevation of the bottom units is 1’ or more above the base flood elevation.

I'm also looking to avoid areas where there tends to be higher vacancy and turnover in tenants b/c that will impact actual yields, on paper those metrics might look great, but what matters to me are the actual yields.For example, it looks like in DMV area the best price/rent ratios I can get w/o going into high vacancy and turnover areas are $350,000/$26,400 = 13.25, but in areas in the midwest (Nashville, Memphis, cities in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and certain parts of TX ) I would be able to pick up some deals looking like $250,000/$26,400 = 9.46.2) Manage or lower risk given #1 - a higher yield will naturally mean higher risk, what I'm saying is that I'd like to mitigate/manage that elevated risk that I would have to take on by weighting more of the wealth creation towards cash flow vs price appreciation.

A property can be in an unfavorable flood zone and still have low cost flood insurance if it is elevated. 

Flood elevations are derived from detailed analyses completed by the state.

I first got into real estate when I attended a Real Estate Elevated conference (Tarak & Christina) and then was sucked into a 3-day seminar for $2000 and also a year long training scheme for $15,000.

The higher elevation home was sold for 540,000.

She wants to have a company come out and do an air quality test and it the mold levels are elevated then she wants me to pay for the work and the test.

I would recommend something elevated. 

I would focus on transit-oriented properties within walking distance of an elevated train station (The "El").