Pressure wash the outside if covered with heavy algae or dirt.

Slow down and take a step back, there will be a lot more pressure then just a guru salesman if you get into this business.Reading and immersing yourself in real estate is a long and continuous process, I would start with http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing just like some others have suggested.

Once you're out there, people have a right to question, critique, applaud, or complain about you.Those gurus and companies that squash dissenting comments by pressuring or threatening those that post said things only do themselves a disservice.

PM me and I'd be happy to refer you to an agent in your area that I trust will take care of your needs and walk you through every step with no added pressure.

Oh boy, I have the same dilemma all the time, although it seems a lot easier to give advise on someone else's project...I would leave the color of the siding, pressure washing and some fresh caulk will go a long way.

The mounting hardware is such crap it seems like you have to swap it out every other time you switch the blinds.

For instance on some apartment buildings the lease says it has to be on the ground with a pole in specific location versus mounted on a roof etc.No legal advice.

There are certain expectations as far as finish materials granite or quartz counters, semi custom cabinets, gas stainless kitchens real hardwoods, under mount sinks or vessel's.

We maintain the habitability of the unit and easily meet the housing quality standard (HQS)  because our standards are higher than that of HUD and the PHA.If a Section 8 tenant veers from abiding by the terms of our rental agreement we have the additional benefit of being able to contact the tenant's case manager at the PHA and they will put pressure on the tenant to come back into compliance.

Mount Vernon is a very nice place but again where are your tenants going to come from.