I've talked to lots of California and a few NYC investors that have lost money (including myself) who bought inexpensive properties in the Midwest mostly and a few in the South (Class C is volatile). - some strategies I've seen California investors use to lessen negative cash flow: house hacking, mid-term rentals (people temporarily displaced from home renovation or insurance reasons like fire), rent by the room, Short Term Rentals. - The ultimate house hack, live in the small ADU unit and rent out the two levels of the main house on AirBnb in San Francisco (I would have thought STRs are oversaturated in S.F. but it worked for them and they stay fully booked).

I would rent or sell that condo and buy a duplex in a class A or B location in KC.

If it's a family cabin, we still sell our Breakfast Package (all things not cooked) and Birthday Package quite a lot.

- Looking in Class A areas expecting to cashflow?

Just don't combine old and class D unless you have a very good reason. 

That is how my portfolio had been stacked for 10+ years - I would buy class A/B assets with little cash flow but hold long term for appreciation.

Stuff happens, who knows what hidden BS can be found on a purchased property ESPECIALLY a D-class "garage price" home.

PM: Ask them how many properties they manage in your asset class.

@Mike Sfera some property managers might do this and maybe give you general guidelines on what to expect for Class A, B and C areas, etc.

I have seen some properties on MLS that I contact my realtor and they may know right away the reason it isn't selling from showing it previously, or they can review the realtor comments that aren't viewable by the public on MLS.Other potential reasons I have seen properties listed on MLS for a long time. 1) Some investors may not be comfortable inheriting existing tenants.2) It may be it is a class C neighborhood. 3) Structural issues.