It sounds like I need to make it my new habit to ask the existing financing question when I am talking to sellers.    

To purchase a property in need of rehab before it can be habitable, the only other alternative is $500k in cash.

I read those famous (and sometimes notorious, depending upon the person with whom you are speaking) books like The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and The Success Principles.  

@Anh D.Yes developing a relationship with an investor friendly lender is vital.

Another upgrade would be to replace the front door with a new once so potential buyers fall in love with the home before they even walk inside it.Appealing online adsAccording to How to Nest for Less, great photos are vital if you want potential buyers to notice your online ad for your home.

This leads to just putting in the bare minimum to make it habitable but being accused of being a slumlord.

I will say that for the average city home in Philadelphia, I'm expecting that I can sum up their household habits from the living room.

There are several properties I've been looking at in my market that are clearly vacant, some of which are less than habitable.  

There are other decent paid sources such as get comps now and realtytrac I like that you are systems driven,I think a lot of people miss that vital part starting out!!

She also has a habit of not paying her utilities.