Sounds like you're at the bottom of the totem pole for tenant quality.

I doubt the gas co had anything to do with it as they merely supply the fuel source to the burner.

We mix diesel fuel and boric acid together and the cockroaches never came back.Joe Gore

And if the profitability of the deal hinges on 1.5% of the purchase price, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

All of those homes had significant negatives compared to mine - a few I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole unless the price was half or less.  

Utilities disconnect/connect, wheels, towing/fuel?

For example if I bought a multi-family property with a garage AND a pole barn, could I rent out the house (along with the garage) to a tenant, but also rent out the pole barn separately for storage to make extra cash flow on the property? 

logic first, a contractors best guess second....and keep the furnace/electric bills sky high......though if shes like most in Baltimore,shell break into the electric meter to steal it....once caught, cut directly into the service cable wires...once cut at the pole....tap off your neighbors....yeah!!!!!!

I would imagine that the handwritten letter in an invitation style envelope will get opened more then other types of mail but I would suggest targeting your message.Also, you should include owner occupied homes as well.Adding in other types of advertising will only increase your chances of getting a deal.As for Bandit Signs, make sure that you use stakes and put them on private property rather then on telephone poles or city property, and out of the "right of way" which I believe is about a 3 ft radius around utilities and public areas.

Seems to be fueled by emotion.