Chris Clothier provided regular video updates, and the property management team sent frequent emails with property-specific details, tenant situations, and proactive solutions.

Contractors, unless you have a working relationship with them, normally do not want you bouncing ideas off them.Understand what their hourly rate is, have a discussion with them that you are okay with paying them an hourly rate if they walk the property with you and provide you a scope of work along with an explanation of what you can/can't get away with in regards to improvements.ask them if you go with them, if they can credit you the amount that you paid.Once you develop a working relationship with a few contractors, you can bounce ideas off them and expect quality responses.I do not invest in New York.Best of luck. 

At the same time, dispute the late payments with the bureaus and provide the payment records showing the payments were made on time if asked.

Similarly to what Mark Cruse stated above, provide dignified housing, respect your tenants, and either have a good PM or make sure you are updated on the regulations and best practices for placing tenants.  

From what I can tell, the extra equity on the house could be utilized to provide better ROI.  

hihi :) Thanks for your thoughts Jaycee, Not sure I would call it a cash cow but I did think it was providing a opportunity.

Who is providing 85% LTV financing on that?

Not all areas are bad and some of the areas that are labeled as bad, aren't that bad and provide the best cash flow!

Very few non-owner occupied property policies guarantee full replacement cost - they typically provide replacement cost up to the dwelling limit purchased. 

I am not a tax professional trying to sell you my services I am simply providing my perspective.