While you're out in the field make notes of properties you like that aren't being maintained - look for high grass and weeds, broken windows or unshoveled snow in the winter.

Has anyone found a bank or credit union that offers high HELOCS with high LTVS?

(Loan to Cost) Can you find a private guy to lend you high LTV for short term?

Repair foundation, updated siding to front of the house, used medium to high end finishes, beautified the landscaping What was the outcome?

That probably puts you in a C neighborhood at best in a city or market that has a stagnant or declining population.

I took on 4 buildings - 2 of which were highly distressed.

And we can move to that house to retire, it’s a good size for it, not high yearly cost as in Florida.  

If there's not much else "wrong" with the property (or if it's relatively new), you might choose to go ahead and pay a plumber to get it over with.Definitely use polybutylene pipes as a "negative" when negotiating the purchase price.With inflation, tradespeople retiring, and the growing population moving to the area, it might well be less expensive to have them switched out sooner rather than later. 

Because of this, extra diligence is tenant screening is highly warranted for the investor's success.

Do you think it costs a lot more to add the half bathroom In the high cost property than the lower cost property.