Even in philly in D class area it is tough to hit the 1% rule.

You can't even get an officer to a traffic accident anymore and how many domestic violence situations happen with little to no attention.  

I’m even considering buying thick rugs to give the tenants above but even that sucks to have to tell tenants what they need in their home.I really love the community on this site.

A local property manager will make this much easier and handle the visits for you.Single-family homes can still do well, even with more apartments popping up, as they cater to tenants who want privacy and space.

Some people are more disturbed by that than others (even if they have nothing to hide) - and following you around may give them a greater sense of control and therefore comfort.

Miraculously, I didn’t lose my shirt, but I broke even on one house and, due to other circumstances, had to walk away from another.

That makes me even more suspect but that is just me.

For on the ground evaluations, I rely on local contacts: agents, contractors, or even property inspectors to provide walkthrough videos and detailed feedback.

Here’s how using a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) to invest in real estate enhances these benefits, especially for those looking to diversify their retirement portfolio: Tax-Advantaged Growth: Real estate investments inside a self-directed account grow tax-deferred (traditional SDIRA) or tax-free (Roth SDIRA), meaning rental income, appreciation, and even gains from selling the property stay shielded from taxes until withdrawal—or forever in the case of a Roth!

Which means they are probably advertising new Deals all the time even though their prior offers are collapsing.