But a lot of people are unable to, and if they lose a tenant or two, the financial noose round their neck slowly tightens.

If you are going to stick you neck out, but yourself at risk, put your money at risk in dealing in real estate, you need to understand the foundations of real estate, you will not be successful simply being turned on or off. :)          

Fair market value is often an unheard issue with the housing authority.In my neck of the woods inspections don't occur until you find Section 8 client interested in your place. 

The opposite would be true in my neck of the woods (Gaithersburg). 

Shop around, getting taxes done on a separate legal entity usually runs $500-1000 in my neck of the woods.... every year.  

Drug went bad in the kitchen, guy took a machete to the neck/shoulder, ran out bleeding.

Nice to see a couple people from my neck of the woods!

I get around a little slower with this healing fractured neck of mine using public transportation.

Petersburg is a very hot rental market and many Californians (with their big bank accounts) are buying properties at 4 and 5 cap rates because properties in their neck of the woods are trading in the 3's.

Anish Tolla in your neck of the woods has some good comments on this