I told the agent that I'd only be interested if it was a killer deal.

Got sooo pissed off that one weekend I was determined to find a new landscaping guy... so I pulled up all the rehab properties in my area and drove down their to check out their land scapping... strangly enough this one group had killer grass... so i sent my runner to stay infront of the house until the gardner comes...

Be concerned of the age of home (post 1974 is better) and maintenance is usually the killer I see.

Looking at City owned properties now and the killer is the standing tax lien that needs paid off...  

I wanted to thank @biggerpo and @brandonatbp for amazing podcasts, @ScottTrench for some killer introductory articles and other BP members from whom we’re learning/plan on learning (and contributing to).

Bottom line is that asbestos wouldn't be a deal killer for me, but I would definitely do my due diligence and factor abatement into my offer price. 

I am from San Diego, so by nature I have been looking around neighborhoods not to far from myself but cannot seem to find those killer deals because of such high PP and an overcrowded market.

I think you guys found a killer deal.

I know a 'blighted property' is another deal-killer... but how do I determine that if I'm not willing to fly out to OH? 

Just have to be quick and be on the look out or have a good realtor on the look out as well....And yes, the taxes here are a killer but don't get discouraged as I generally make anywhere from an 11% to 20% cash on cash return on all my buy and hold holdings in NJ.