It also has a buying power adjusted GDP/capita that rivals western european capitals.

Be prepared for delays,lots of them.Rain and snow(if any) can ruin the days you had scheduled to repair the roof,paint the exterior,repair or change the landscape or driveway,etc.Also,if you're trying to sell single family homes beware,parents don't normally want to move their children to a new home and possibly to new schools in the middle of a bitter cold winter.Only if you price the home well below the after repair value and give them some instant equity will you get good enough offers to accept.Even in warmer weather states like California and Florida,finding multiple offers from families with school aged children can be difficult.Be prepared for the home to sit on the market for 90 days or more until it gets closer to the end of the school year.

I'm looking for an affordable fixer upper in the Bmore area in which I can take my time rehabbing it with the goal of post-rehab income with decent return on cash that rivals opportunity cost and hopefully, eventually long term appreciation (decade plus). 

If the broker also refuses, then contact their local real estate commission or even the NAR.If you ever need more specific advice on this, call another agent from another brokerage and explain your situation. particularly if they are from a rival brokerage, they will be happy to talk you through it.

However Baltimore is the only city in the top 25 markets where the rental rate of return is over 20%Baltimore has one of the most stable economies in the United States, median household income averages $70,000 which ranks #4 in the U.S.Baltimore’s millenial population has grown 16% in the last 5 yearsBaltimore has over 1,000 miles of natural shoreline making it one of the most beautiful places to liveBaltimore gets over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, rivalling Florida as the “sunshine state”Over 2.7 million people reside in the region making it the 20th largest metro in the countryHigh opportunity and relatively low home prices make Baltimore one of the hottest Real Estate markets in the nationProperties can be purchased in the $70 - $85K range and rents range from $1300 - $1600 a month for 3 - 4 bedroom homes.

Judges freak out about this as the polical repercussions of a bad ruling can put them into the crosshairs of a judicial rival.

Plus it didn't mix well with the other ingredients when it came to leaving a good bitter sweet taste in your mouth.

To avoid being a bitter person, always ask, what can be done or is this something I can change or a general question that will lead to action.

Originally posted by @Richard Dunlop: Your post does ring with bitterness, but on one note we agree; I would never touch a 2% deal.   

You can find numbers that rival the rust belt and you still have the opportunity for appreciation.