You would be surprised how many people sue their landlords  because of the 3, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8 second hand smokers affect their health and anyone that touches the door knobs.

They do have multiple pets, which is a downside, but they would pay a non-refundable pet fee as well.Has anyone rented to anyone in this situation?

This is one of my top 5 pet peeves, as you can imagine. 

One of the latest is a law that proposes all tenants can have a pet with no additional costs.  

A: "Oh, I don't actually live here, I'm just staying here for a few weeks with a friend"A: "The seller just asked me to stay here because people kept breaking in and vandalizing the place, that's why the appliances are gone"A: "I love all the neighborhood pets, but I absolutely hate the business next store because their air conditioner squeals when it runs ALL SUMMER!"

(They have the deferred maintenance you'd expect after a fixed income senior lived in them for several years, plus smokers, pets)So how do I turn 5 straggling houses into a proper real estate portfolio and well-managed rental business? 

How are you affording health insurance?

You can use recent purchase price and go up to 75% LTV with 650+ fico if property is 70% occupied with no health and safety issues. 

I'm particularly interested in the Poconos and Upstate NY (Catskills region).Outside of real estate, I enjoy working as a mental health therapist and traveling the world with my family!

I used to manage them by myself but as I began having health issue relocated to California during the pandemic, I handed over most of them to a property manager who is also my real estate agent.