Community water, and electric are at the street.

Get pictures of every room, the electrical breaker box, water heater, furnace, each side of the house, the roof, the basement if there is one, inside and outside of the garage if there is one etc.If the seller doesn’t want you to come do a walk-through and take pictures due to concerns over COVID-19, then have the seller take pictures and send them to you.

The problem is the waters are muddied when a negative occurs with the investment that is in no way the result of dishonesty or incompetence; it’s merely the revealing of the probability of an outcome that has been properly disclosed as a possibility - yet the unsophisticated investor begins crying Ponzi scheme, theft, incompetence and every other accusation they can think of rather than considering the possibility that they made an investor with higher risk than a money market fund. 

My principal/interest, escrow, and insurance is 1570, and my HOA is 306 and it includes water.

You could easily be $100k in for water/gas/power/sewer if you’re talking 4+ lots. 

The “moderate size” question is pure opinion.

Generally, homes closer to the water are more expensive.  

@Jennifer Fernéz I run sum numbers for you with our tool, see comments and pics below before refinancing and post refinancing .Financial Breakdown: Purchase Price: $200,000 Mortgage (LTV 80%): $160,000 Interest Rate: 6% (30-Year Amortization) Mortgage Monthly Payment: $959Upfront Costs: Down Payment (20%): $40,000 Closing Costs (3.5%): $7,000 Renovation Costs: $15,000 1 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $1,548Total Upfront Required: $63,548Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $2,000 1 Month Rent Losses during renovations (-$2,000): -$167/month distributed over 12 months Total Rent Income: $22,000 per year => $ 1,833 per monthMonthly Expenses: Mortgage Payment: $959 Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $275 per month Assuming 5% Vacancy: $92 Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $1,676Monthly Net Cash Flow: $157Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy after 12 months:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate a portion of your initial investment into a mortgage.

You should look for an "investor-friendly" PM company that knows how it is just dipping your toe into the water of buying a home/condo/townhome.. 

I underestimated utilities in my early years, so I ensure those are properly captured (electricity, gas, water and trash).