I'd appreciate it if you could help me gauge an understanding via a answering a few questions for me.1) Have you worked with general Contractors help"beautify" a house to fetch a higher asking price.Basic quick rather inexpensive upgrades to add value.

However with stable tenants bringing in $21,600/yr and only about $6,000/yr in expenses, your NOI is about $15k (rounding down), which should be enough to pay your mortgage with a little leftover.

Adds a bit more in expenses, especially with the cost of electricity in Ontario (at least the unit I am looking at is gas heat opposed to baseboard), but the extra $300-400 roughly in expenses could easily be made up for with the extra $800-1000 in potential rent.

This has all recently changed in the last couple months and I wish I began sooner because I've learned a ton.My goal here is to network with other investors and wholesalers, learn from success stories and/or failures, hear about what other people are doing to find deals in expensive markets like mine (Boston), and hopefully I can help others out as well.Looking forward to connecting with more investors who share the same goals and investing interests as me.

As my first property, something on the inexpensive side although not considering 25-100k Baltimore properties.  

Rents are good and properties are inexpensive.

I don't know what your house is like, but if you can get a lodger to rent out a room, or if you can add a separate space by inexpensively finishing a basement or attic (microwave, hot plate, mini-fridge, bathroom, + bedroom or studio), you can use that income to both pay down debt and to establish yourself as a landlord in the IRS's eyes.  6.  

Also, recommendations for a reputable and inexpensive custodian for the SDIRA is also appreciated.Thanks so much,-Eric

You can have it tested relatively inexpensively and know for sure. 

In expensive markets, you just have to be more creative.