@Eric O'neil Keep studying and learning.

I wish there was some secret but to be able to get the property entitled you need $$$ and I have yet to find a bank or lender that will lend for entitlement work (city approval, all necessary studies, etc...), what I would do is find the property. 

If you had maintained this strategy for the last 3 years (2015: 1.4%, 2016: 1.1%) your tenant would have seen nominal increases in his rent all tied to a fixed formula and you would now be poised to increase his rent from roughly $2410 to $2475.

However, if you just wanted the education and everything you can always start studying for your license test before you get your SSN.I understand wanting to get out there and jump in ASAP.

The houses weren't maintained by the owner that well.

Study and analyze every day to improve how you come across to potential clients.

The past few years, we have been struggling maintaining our properties out of country.

me personally I don't feel to much of a difference on building structure 1 roof x amount of walls just seems bigger space obviously 2 tenants on a duplex = more calls and issues via them as well as double the appliances to maintain  but also double the rent just wanted to pick a few brains and see what people that have walked the walk so to speak feel about it:) thanks in advance

I maintain and repair my properties when it is necessary.

@Darrel Henegar, it's all about ROI and pay-back period.First do a rent study to find out what rents in your area are.