If they don't want to be transparent with the property, assume there's something wrong there and you'd have to pay an inspector to discover it.

The biggest problem investing remotely is building an on-ground team such as agents, contractors, inspectors, property managers, lawyers, etc, etc. 

Perhaps a nice 1950's built bungalow.Always hire a 3rd party property inspector to give you an unbiased feel for the home.

I am an experienced ICC Building Inspector and sometimes have to make a trip to the property to determine repair causes when its not clear or tenant photos won't do, but that extra trip and skill set has saved my owners thousands over the years.Just a few points - but take a good look at your leases - there may be significant "bucket holes" in your cash flow depending on how they are drafted.Finally, Steve Rozenberg from TX made some excellent points in his reply about running investments like a business and the 5 ways you can be making financial progress even if cash flow is not falling directly into your pockets each month (but I would want that to be the case) - if at least several of these 5 facets are not true for you, you may want to think about selling - but I would first improve things so your property performance looks better to diligent buyers.

The total cost could exceed $500 before not including the inspector

Second, I recommend hiring an electrician and a plumber to do an inspection in addition to a regular inspector.

Note that the NEC now requires a GFCI for refrigerators but many local inspectors allow you not to do this because if the thing nuisance trips, all the food will go bad.

Worst mistake ever was using him and after failing inspection, the inspector called me and suggested I get a new contractor. 

Perhaps a nice 1950's built bungalow.Always hire a 3rd party property inspector to give you an unbiased feel for the home.

Perhaps a nice 1950's built bungalow.Always hire a 3rd party property inspector to give you an unbiased feel for the home.