Steal Industry, auto manufacturing, the facilitating things to these like coal mining, the decapitation of these industries in the US has left a trail of devastated towns and collapsed markets who have NOT come back and have no prospects of ever coming back to there former glory as the "thing" that put them there, is gone. 

Both units were separately metered with all mechanicals in working order, making it an ideal property for investors.

What mechanism would be driving such "cycles"? 

The card has less mechanical fixes, but more usage fixes and costs more, but I think does better long-term since they can load the amount they want.I also agree with @Luan Oliveira in that the best thing that you can do in any small multi is to set laundry days in advance, every other day.

How do I avoid a mechanics lien on a future property?

This is because it was poorly converted, improperly done, "patched up" over time, and might have mixed up mechanicals etc.

Rent collection is an auto pilot part of my business. 

A tenant may only be evicted on this basis if the property is being demolished or if renovations will a) substantially modify or replace a structural, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical system, and require permits, or b) remove unsafe materials, such as lead paint, mold, or asbestos, from the unit.

It does not directly offset it, the mechanics are complex, but you should benefit from the $50k losses, resulting in no additional taxes from the sale.

NOD is public record.. one can subscribe to Property Radar and get all this info for a very low monthly fee plus a ton of other add on' like CRM and auto mailers etc..