I was just looking for some helpful ideas to offer up to someone who isn't as tech-savvy to research herself as most of our world is nowadays. :)

This time I see when it falls at whatever % it does, it will be sharp within 6 months then a quicker recover back up(Things just move faster nowadays and investors are more educated then before).

You can get them cheap enough nowadays.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯Just out of curiosity, what does $300k-$350k get you nowadays near Philly?

Nowadays it looks like wood, is more durable than most other flooring types and least expensive unless you want to get the really cheap 70s looking vinyl squares. 

Agreed,Lot's of deals to be found in Ohio.Tougher nowadays but still enough to stay busy.Just to answer the OP's initial question also.Loosing on a deal in the first few years is risky business.When I first started investing in 2010 and back home in Australia, I built a large portfolio and fairly quickly.Lot's of debt...Monthly mortgages where costing me more than I was generating in income.It was a slow bleed so I decided to liquidate and move to cashflow friendly markets in the US (Specifically Ohio).In hindsight, those same properties if owned today would have made me millions in capital gain profits.So if you are looking for an appreciation play, make sure to have enough income from your W2 or other means to withstand the slow monthly bleed until the properties appreciate so much that you end up being in the green even tho you bled monthly.Again, very risky business IMO.Much success

More and more people are leaning towards QBO nowadays especially if they're using remote accountant/CPA.

is it still possible to get 100% financing nowadays?

A professional biography is a must nowadays to describe one’s career in an impressive way.

People overlook this because they have too many dang bathrooms nowadays.