Are you buying the cheapest house out there and  the rent the house can command is also the cheapest?

Today they are commanding 300 K . 

Once remodeled, they could command a higher rental rate thus supporting a handsome sale price to an investor.

From what I have seen,  Johnson City commands the highest rent out of the Tri-Cities Area on average. 

I'd appreciate some comments as to whether this property, and the quality of the rehab from the photos, is one that can command the $1,250/mo and whether or not it can sustain this in the long run.https://drive.google.com/folderview?

It's more expensive, yes, but the rents you could command are higher as well.

Going with a newer home may cost a little more but it most likely will be more energy efficient, have newer items, and have more space (hopefully allowing you to command more rent money depending on where you end up buying).  

I'm going to get a 203k loan to force some appreciation and command higher rents and then should be at 4 or 5 units.

Knowing where this building fits in the larger market will guide you on what rents could be possible in your area and what level of improvements would be needed to command those higher rents.  

@Eric Black What would this place command in rent?