"If you have your toothbrush too close to the toilet, you are brushing your teeth with what's in your toilet."

He's learning how to play with his pick between his teeth...

In my experience it usually means heavy smoke/mold/water/stain damage throughout.. to the point the drywall is 'discolored' to the point needs replacing, ditto for fixtures especially enamel, porcelain, laminate, wood, etc usually need to be rippd out or at least resurfaced... definitely usually more than 'needs a paint job'

Here's a thought - stay, grit your teeth, lower your expenses, maybe bring in a live-in tenant to help pay the bills, and wait for good sale conditions - then live somewhere you can afford.

Getting an electrician to show up was like pulling teeth on our current job. 

@Victoria CrumpI would cut my teeth in the Detroit Suburbs, get a feel for the area. 

Listings are always nice, but to hold out for just listings when getting started is hard to do since you are not cutting your teeth (getting experience) as mush as you would by representing buyers.

However, getting all that information was like pulling teeth.

Ready to sink my teeth into real estate markets and looking to expand my network in the Washington, D.C. area !

I cut my teeth litigating insurance companies for refusing claims and have been wary ever since.