., I don't know a ton about Baltimore neighborhoods other than Canton is pretty decent, but we were stationed at Fort Meade and with the NSA expanding on the base, that whole area is exploding.

During peak holidays, all hotels/motels are sold out (even with airbnb exploding here). there are jobs and more jobs coming back.I understand all the negativity but I'm an optimist and it has worked out here for me

its in a good area in regards to minimal crime, strong local university near by, steadily growing city (not exploding).  

I assume everything needs to be turned on prior to inspection, but how do i know that the house isn't going to explode when the gas comes on, or become flooded when the water comes on, or burn to the ground once the electricity comes on?   

Once our current debt bomb explodes, we might go back to cash at closings like Argentina does.....

HOA can be anything, you need to ask the homeowners organization, insurance should be a quick call to your agent to find out, but you need to find out property taxes, water/sewer costs and some assumptions on maintenance, since you will be responsible if a window breaks or the hot water heater explodes. 

@Joseph Hennis If I read correctly, it sounds like you are planning for retirement on rural acreage and these investments are to support that lifestyle...as I'm sure it'd be a challenge to do your job living rurally....in which case that makes you a cool dude because I want to do the same thing LOL.I didn't do the "what would you do" portion of your question so here's mine, maybe we share a common goal:sell property 5, so  I could have a new primary residence that I'll mention laterSell property 1 (unless it is in a super exclusive area that's going to explode in value even more in the near future making it a keeper). 

His rental income as a landlord is continually exploding all over the place, in a good way. 

But it still can explode in your face and lose a friend, be cautious!

There used to be farmland all over from Learjet at Kellogg/Tyler all the way to Goddard, but Maize, on the south end and West, exploded in the past ten years.