I think with the majority of the homes in the areas I’m looking having a lower pitch roof so the money would probably be better spent on upgrades inside the home.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

If you are buying new construction, from a major builder (you know, where they pour foundation on Monday, and framing starts on Tuesday) then I would be concerned.Lead paint, for me, has never been an issue (but worth knowing your locality's policy).  

And that happened because in AU in those days most folks from AU did not realize how much FREE information is available in the US on line about real estate .. this information did not or does not Exist in AU so they were easy marks.

Join online forums, go to local real estate meetups, and ask knowledgeable people for advice who have a wealth of knowledge.Markets that fit your investing objectives should be identified.

All,
First, thank you in advance for all the insight I will receive from all of you. I'm a real estate investor who currently lives in Washington, DC. I have 3 doors and am trying to expand further. 
My sister and I...

And if it’s even 1 hour it’s one particular needy tenant I have that takes up the majority of my time and energy on a regular basis.

Putting that kind of money in a rental is good idea I think, certainly on the major stuff like ac and furnace etc because you won't have to mess with it for 15+ years.

The coursework can be done online and the number of hours you have to put in varies from 45-90.This is not an extremely difficult task.