I have some experience at this.what we did when we were buying SFR rentals was:1. new pex piping 2. new roof3. new HVAC mechanicals4. new waste line to the street. ( number one call we would get was backed up plumbing from root intrusion)5. upgrade electrical panel and wiring as needed.So we would look for homes were we could do these things the first month or so of owning them then put them into service. 

If it's roots or old pipes, they ask me to bill them.

I have LOC's personally but those are local commercial banks with deep roots in the community and a very long term relationship with.. national lenders you never know you can make an app and the computer spits out an approval.if you go down the CC route just be careful.. and make sure you pay them off once you get into credit card debt its tough to get out. 

@Steven Stokes  I get the grass roots approach.But with 300 . 

The kitchens need serious revamping so we discussed adjusting some of the architecture to give it more of an open feel to the room.There are some large trees with root structures that go under the building that will need to be removed, sort of a costly piece but they really impact the look of the property.  

Are the current tenants out of towners that will move on when the economy dips or are they rooted in the community.Get a peak at the sellers schedule E of their tax return.

I've moved around quite a bit (NV, UT, ID, WA, HI, Japan, UK) and recently begun putting down roots here in CO after returning from 4 years in England working for NATO.

I currently live in New York, but have roots and family in NJ - will that matter?

A warm "Thank You" for reaching out from my home roots of Maryland.  

@Rick BaggenstossThe reason i look at the Korean migration patterns is this Asian demographics will more likely migrate to a new city/area for better entrepreneurial and lifestyle opportunities more so than the Chinese & Japanese who are more likely to root themselves in 1 tier world class cities like New York, San Francisco and LA and stay put.