They’re typically stable, cash flowing businesses that are straightforward and simple to understand.

It's a simple solution, get more info.

From simple rules like permits to outright bans so that is a huge risk IMHO.

You better reach out to them days before the auction and give them a simple choice: allow foreclosure sale  to occur or allow you to take it over from them, with equity justifying your purchase.    

Maybe begin with a simple buy-and-hold single family home or do a house-hack.

Yes both states have licensing requirements for contractors and subcontractors which can be found with a simple google search

How about the simple obvious that the inputs to deliver the service/product have a base-line and market prices have, OBVIOUSLY, been at about as lean of operating profit margins as can be. 

Yes what appear to be simple easy jobs still take time , and we bill for time . 

This appears to be another article designed to capture eyeballs by creating controversy. 

The 1% rule is a simple rule which is easy to calculate and describe.