We spent a few month making it very modern and attractive - moved W/D upstairs, new appliances, removed walls, refinished hardwoods, granite, new cabinets etc.  

Yes you take on debt but it might be less risky as quality of the area is better which helps make for a possible successful long term outcome.In marginal areas it is hard to attract good tenants.

The price point at which you would be able to afford these properties means that average rent would be roughly 5-600 per unit, which attracts low quality tenants, and means that neglected repairs and capex items can quickly eat into any profits that you may think you are getting. 

These deals are often attractive because you can close quickly, do not have to bother with the headaches of a traditional bank, and can structure the note differently (e.g. interest up front, balloon payments, etc..).

How are you attracting SEC 8 tenants?

Win win Good luck do work hard and don't discount the law of attraction.

The stadium is attracting a lot of buying around the strip south end  etc 

My partners and I have landed our first MASSIVE deal (250+ unit complex) and have started the money raising process..Let me give you a very very quick back story...To make sure you are as attractive as you can be to a prospective passive investor, you need to have a few thing..

Twitter, Uber, Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Genetech this and that over pay to attract young people to join them.

It's quirky I know but the house boats in Garrison Bight and spread around the area were really what attracted me as air bnb (which didn't exist at the time) places.