They purchase them at a low price, restore them, then rent them.

Non-payment leads to evictions, restoration, and vacancy expenses.

(and those car jobs are not coming back).Right now poverty is spread over a huge area, consolidating it MIGHT make helping it easier--and that would allow restoration of some of the original brick houses, apartments and commercial buildings in the area's the crime is removed from.And how big would D-Town really be if all of the remaining inhabited houses were lined up next to each other like a regular city?

But, full replacement value would restore your property.

Will look at Habitat for Humanity Restores and such after I finish painting the house this weekend

If tenants want to paint the walls hot pink, they are informed that upon move out they will have to pay to have the walls restored to the original color. 

Moderately restored, but furnace replacement and some roof work could be imminent. 

The true reason for the seller’s refusal was that the water had been off for so long, and no maintenance fee paid for long enough, that the property had lost its tap.In order to restore water service, it was like starting from scratch.

So imagine/plan for 30% vacancy, and $1800  worth of restoration between tenants.  

If Buyer timely terminates this Contract, the Deposit paid shall be returned to Buyer, thereupon, Buyer and Seller shall be released of all further obligations under this Contract; however, Buyer shall be responsible for prompt payment for such inspections, for repair of damage to, and restoration of, the Property resulting from such inspections, and shall provide Seller with paid receipts for all work done on the Property (the preceding provision shall survive termination of this Contract).