Like anyone else they do not like being disturbed while asleep, But for that to be effective all of their entrances must be blocked so they will not return and any workers must be protected fully.

Here is the situation:An OK property (needs work though) but in a very bad neighborhood (I am talking drug dealers across the street, bunch of boarded up props on the block and constant breaking ins (at least once a week - the property is vacant).

There is a property about 2 blocks from me that is scheduled to be auctioned next Wed.

I literately use 17 tubes of caulk in a 650 sq ft apartment to try and block places for them.Rough trip down memory lane, but yeah.. you aren't the only one!

Once I did that, it became clear my bachelor pad was never going to cash flow, and I was better selling it, taking the proceeds, and buying something that will cash flow.Also compare your goals to your area -- I live in Philadelphia where unless you get properties at a discount, or off-market, you are buying at a premium, and are banking on major appreciations in the regional real estate market (which in Philly, can happen on a block-to-block basis) which are not a given.

I highly recommend you search for deals daily, but you will hit a lot of unnecessary road blocks along the way if you haven't identified your team. 

and if something is not to code (e.g. blocked fire exits), require the owner to fix.Where they do not provide any service and just impose a fee (e.g. occupancy fee with out doing any inspection), that is an infringement of ownership rights.

@Patrick M. do you place the dehumidifier in the corner of one of the rooms and ask the tenants not to block it?

@Chris Jensen time blocking (Disclaimer: As of late I'm not as active as id like to be as of late and I need to do a better job of this) seems to work best and considering BP to be a part of what you do is where i've seen the most success.

I found comps with same bedroom, bathroom, and prett much same sq for :155,000 (within 2 blocks of seller) 128, 000 (within 2 blocks of seller) 181,100 (within one mile) 169,000 (within one mile) I haven’t been able to ask about repairs yet but the place looks pretty bad.