Invest in as long as it takes you to write a check, do a wire transfer, or even an online bill pay4.

Still no solution yet from them though after I check in every few days.

Check out property prices, rental demand, and cash flow in the areas you're considering.

BiggerPockets has some pro tools that let you see rent to price ratios and other cool stats, I use this to check out various markets and which seem to have better/worse profitability.

We only require a soft credit check as well. 

Also, be sure to check with the section 8 agency managing the tenants - sometimes if you pass on an additional cost like that they will no longer be eligible to live there if the rent and utilities exceed what they were approved for.

If neither wants to sell you may consider putting everything into a jointly owned LLC with governing documents spelling all of this out. 

Just check the local rules to make sure you’re good to go!

The inspector wanted me to add 2 screws to anchor the condenser and he did check for leaks at the gas connection (the gas connection that was flagged was decades old and I questioned if was before a permit was required but city stated it was up to me to prove that it was there prior to permit requirement).

I don't personally care about checks anymore so that wasn't an important feature for me.