Maytag and Whirlpool are good imo.I personally also avoid ice makers and water dispensers.

The other thing could be tracking what you have had come up on the last 5-10 projects after closing, i.e. the water heater was at the end of life when we bought the last 6 out of the last 10 properties.

The best defense against rats entering your property is to seal off all entry points (holes, cracks in walls), remove food sources (dirty dishes, food left in trash cans), and water sources (like leaks). 

I ASSUME you’re talking $400+ in extra expenses for providing water, power, sewer, gas, internet, communal area cleaning, and exterior maintenance.

My principal/interest, escrow, and insurance is 1570, and my HOA is 306 and it includes water.

The current owner is letting me take over the property as a tenant as long as I pay the water bill and the mortgage payment on it and whenever I decide I can purchase property for the balance of the mortgage  they are in no hurry for me to purchase the home as long as the mortgage is paid. 

We fixed the foundation and the flat roof issues with pooling water, and rents didn't meet the mortgage just yet.In 2023, we finally started to cash flow.

I also see your point about avoiding bargain basement properties, especially insofar as tax shielding is easier with an asset of a reasonable size.Your point about barriers to entry is also interesting, since I suppose those barriers can be geography (natural boundaries of mountains/water), but you're probably referring to that which impedes future construction?

We bought a home built in 1900, insurance water damage coverage is 10% of the dwelling limit. 

Think on it, how much does $250mnth buy for a furnace, a/c, water heater, carpets, really any reno at all?