It would be a rare new RE investor that could hope to have taken on this project without partners with experience.My point is investors in different stages of life and experience have different criteria for their RE investments.  

You could install a locked drop box at the building for the tenants to put their checks in.

Or take cash and pay the tax on their portion.Only your accountant will know whether this kind of drop and swap is possible without a tax event. 

There is some financing available but it's rarely used, as it's extremely difficult to make a deal profitable given the lending conditions.

So now I am 25 and I was finally presented with an opportunity (duplexes are super rare in my area/state btw) I put an offer in and it's looking like it's gonna be accepted!!

I’m dropping one off tomorrow for another tenant.

If your average heating bill is $150, you may not collect enough in the winter months when the bill reaches $225 but you'll collect extra in the summer when it drops to $65.

@Damon AlbersSounds like these properties are in a class c area and your manager is not doing a good job vetting themBut this is not out of ordinary for c class rentals which is why people look at cash flow and be like wow but one $5000 bill can wipe out 4-6 months of rental income and properties never make money and rarely appreciateThis is why we do not do lower class rentals as stated cash flow vs reality are typically not close

Generally speaking, the best deal is rarely the "cheapest" deal. 

There has been a ton of new construction for housing the past 4 years and that’s why vacancy rates are 10-12% and rental rates have dropped the past couple of years.