The current owner is letting me take over the property as a tenant as long as I pay the water bill and the mortgage payment on it and whenever I decide I can purchase property for the balance of the mortgage  they are in no hurry for me to purchase the home as long as the mortgage is paid. 

But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

In one of the 3 fundamental human needs (food, water, shelter).

So, if your property has all bills paid by the tenant, you will deduct from the voucher amount the set amount by bedroom count for items like water, electric, gas, etc.

And I did buy 13 lot package in Henry county but it was all sewer and water.. smokin deal 3k a lot held them 2 years and sold for 35k a lot :)@Jay Hinrichs excellent advice - always appreciate your insight!

- Do you want an ocean view, or is proximity to the water or to resort amenities like fine dining or shops most important?

Sounds like you stopped water which is most important.

When looking into it, the basement had water damage that didn't worry us since we knew how to remodel that area ourselves.

Think on it, how much does $250mnth buy for a furnace, a/c, water heater, carpets, really any reno at all?

However, the relationship and efficiency of work can be supported with the use of new technology such as AI, can it not?