Towson things will be nicer but the purchase price will increase. 

Once they start having concern about the economy (or maybe a certain section), they will reduce the LTVs.

Boosting your score doesn’t take long, and there are services that can review your credit history and help you increase it within a couple of months. 

Their services increase the odds of tenants renewing and staying longer.Handling Evictions & Problem Tenants: A good PM handles problems quickly and efficiently.

Given the scope of your work, a simple plumbing leak would not concern me, it's a $200 issue at the most and ideally, it's just another line item when you do rough in plumbing for the kitchen.Being in a Milwaukee suburb, I am guessing it's a 1960s ranch, probably with galvanized plumbing.

One property went for almost $100,000, before increased interest in real estate investing, that property would have sold for a high of $50,000 maybe less. 

Often, they don't need to be moved in by the time of the appraisal, but if you have a signed lease, first month's rent receipt, and a receipt of the security deposit then the lender will often treat the property as occupied which can help increase your max loan amount in some cases.

The rentals are scarce and rents have increased in recent years.

They are more concerned with politics, and "feel good" topics, than actually doing their job...teaching their students how to learn.  

Last year was back to earth; a glut of available properties drove the rates down for everyone and a drop in visitors also increased vacancies.