.- We use a doorbell camera mounted outside our front door that can only view who enters and exits the apartment.

If it were me, when I went to see the properties I would have that original sheet, a note pad and a camera.

And others (which I typically always use) will crawl through the smallest attics and crawlspaces and some now even have cameras and drones for areas they can't access!)

I've combined simplisafe with a few cameras on the exterior of the property.

I always bring a notepad for noting repairs, a flashlight, a camera or smartphone, and of course all the paperwork I'm going to need (e.g. contracts).

(Once again, the feds have made it harder and more expensive for smaller investors)Cash to close:~$56,000(seller pays closing costs)Rental income: $1,600cash flow: $79 /monthCoC ROI: 1.71%CAP rate: 6.8%You could maybe negotiate and get these numbers a bit better, but that's about what I would expect in the 'turnkey' realmThere are much better deals (on paper) available, but you begin to tread into higher crime areas where the tenant pool is not great, and the associated costs of theft and vandalism expenses, and the expense of mitigating theft and crime (security cameras, caging in AC units, providing off street parking) are difficult to manage for a beginning OOS investor.Or they may require some rehab of some kind to make it rentable.ALL that being said, if you ever want to connect and learn more about my market, reach out!

It needs probably $30-50,000 invested in it to replace fences, gates, add cameras, etc.

I agree with you that Time available and energy available for *properly* managing and growing a real estate investment is the main limiting reagent for people like us. therefore my plan is to “start Small” and “make my mistakes and Learn the invaluable lessons ” without too much money or risk on the line, which is something HenryClark of Clark storage mentions in his insightful posts here on BP. i am doing my research, looking at properties,  practicing analayzing multiple deals without making an offer. my personal plan has been Narrowed down to either : 1) Buying a 1-2 acre property and building a small storage facility, or placing cargo containers, and learning the ropes. 2) buying a small existing storage facility 50-125 units (maybe owner financed) and trying to make it contactless, management software, cameras, etc.. and then scaling up and up.I really would love to partner up with a mentor on the first few deals but I guess I need to just start posting on BP and getting feedback on the ideas instead of justing reading posts.  

We also paid a plumber to look through the pipes (they informed me that all they were looking for was standing water, and that cracks wouldn’t show up with a camera).

What with instant text messaging and cell phone cameras I do think that would work for me.