The 1% rule is simply a rule of thumb type filter.

After getting new property management we made contact with inhabitants of both units and attempted to strike a new lease with us.

Quote from @Christine Gordon: Quote from @Roi Azoulay: This firm is known to advertise fake distressed properties all over NY and reach out the the actual owner w/attempt to get listing agreement, Unfortunately they are still active and keep doing this for many years and no other website/mls does anything about it. 

Over the past year, RTR has over 50 emails back and forth with this investor and mngt, attempting to sort out solutions.

My first MF I represented the buyer on I made 100k. for maybe a weeks worth of work. 3. if your going to be looking a more resi style duplex 4 plex a lot of those get listed and having access to the MLS is far superior to any other on line listing service ONE simply because you will be able to talk to the actual LIsting agent not someone paying for leads.And then of course having access to MLS lock box's and not relying on agents.. this is huge.Now if your maybe going to buy one property sometime in the future and you have no interest in learning the RE laws of your state or making any money with transactional real estate then sure.. its a pass.. although I would still recommend the pre license course so you learn the basics  the vocabulary and states unique laws.. knowledge is power in RE.

He has built an incredible section 8 wealth machine that several attempt to emulate.  

Its not work its simply how I live my life and I just happen to make money doing it..

Which is to say any attempts beyond the method of communication in the profile are likely to end up convincing the landlord you and your friend would be a pain in the butt as tenants. 

They could just be keeping it in a drawer and simply rolling the cigarette inside (to then smoke outside) can cause an apt to smell for a little while.

Also, the amount of damage was so expensive to repair that he simply could not afford to fix the more damaged units.