A few small touches, like high-quality linens and a welcome guide, can make a big difference. 

So, make sure YOU understand the copy & paste info below:Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

“Courses” are often hype pieces that promote all of the good and underreport the bad.

Later I was able to buy the vacant lot between for a grand total of about 2.4 acres.All the houses are in bad shape.

Contractors, unless you have a working relationship with them, normally do not want you bouncing ideas off them.Understand what their hourly rate is, have a discussion with them that you are okay with paying them an hourly rate if they walk the property with you and provide you a scope of work along with an explanation of what you can/can't get away with in regards to improvements.ask them if you go with them, if they can credit you the amount that you paid.Once you develop a working relationship with a few contractors, you can bounce ideas off them and expect quality responses.I do not invest in New York.Best of luck. 

If anyone could include what to look out for in a good deal and a bad deal

I would say if you do jump in without physically going to the area...you should definitely buy in a nicer neighborhood (I hear too many stories with new investors getting burned investing in bad neighborhoods). 

Thoughtful upgrades and efficient project management made this a successful venture, highlighting the strength of our partnership and commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Triple Diamond, Double Diamond, Diamond; nothing sounds bad) of sales levels, putting it on cards and advertising them.

Those qualities can be the difference between closing a deal and walking away empty-handed.What about you?