I don't know about ghetto properties but a few weeks ago I had the weirdest dream.In my dream I am the landlord of a class E multi-family property, the worst, the most drama, every tenant is on long term leases, every tenant is guaranteed to have a criminal record, and they don't pay rent and you can't charge them late fees...I was the warden in a prison.

Charles Schwab says the stock market returns are expected to be 6.3% annually for the next 10 years, so 7% is e-z money for them. 

@Danielle E. that is absolutely the right way to do it.

., I own a few long-term rentals in my personal name, and my accountant files them on schedule E (1040) as supplemental rental income.

What's the lesser of the evils-- wait it out, and see how the properties fare with new tenants (I feel like I've done that twice already, lol) or suck it up, take my losses and get the H-E double happy-sticks out of this mismanaged and headache-ridden town, having paid a hefty 95k price tag for this hard-knock life lesson?

I just have them respond via the anonymous craiglist e-mail and give my first name.

Worth real 70% deals are very, very hard to come by,,but I will say, I have had a short sale under contract since last November, and got an e-mail today it is about ready to close (now I have to get ready on my side,,,I never thought it would close)they do exist,,,but I would jump on an 85% deal for buy and hold now, and that would cash flow in my area

Thanks @Bob E. .  

I frequently e-mail leases to people to sign and e-mail back.

There are proactive and preventative things that can be done to "catch" bed bugs at an early stage and needs to be shared with your renters.You educate them on bed bugs and have them sign an acknowledgement that they have read the materials and will stay aware and on top of what and where they contact bed bugs (i,e, travel,buying used furniture, shopping at thrift stores, etc)Nip it now so that you don't have to go through this again in the future because the risk gets greater especially if someone has a severe reaction to the bites - guess who gets sued?