I am looking for close-to-home investments for rental income...just now building my first list on listserve and planning to start attending court house auctions to observe/learn. 

My big observation is that your holding costs seem very low.

I was there observing the whole way. 

Specific requirements must be observed and the burden is entirely on the seller to do so. 

I do have certain requirements from rough neighborhoods, though: good landlord tenant laws, high rent to values, and one thing i've observed to be EXTREMELY important in these areas is HIGH TENANT DEMAND.

Remember, the showing is just as much for your potential tenant as it is for you - a chance to observe this person.

This is just my observation & not FACT on this matter.

To the casual observer who focuses on other asset classes some read a story, see a few struggling properties, and paint broad brush strokes.

@Ki Lee sounds like there could be mold that can't be seen by a casual observer.

These are just my personal observations and gut reaction to what is going on in the world at the moment.