I then looked into it and was instantly hooked with the podcasts when the lightbulb turned on. 

I wouldn't separate the utilities but I would try to save some water cost by adding a hot water circulating pump to the hot water heater...that basically makes it so when they turn on the hot water it's instantly hot instead of having to wait a minute for it to get hot....another benefit of the hot water circulating pump is that it helps prevent pipes from freezing in the winter, turn off the outside spigot so people can't steal water, have a plumber go through the 4 plex and look for leaks and replace any toilet flaps...replace any toilets that are water hogs. 

Tax deed sales are a different topic.Weekend MillionaireWealth ProtectionNothing DownBuilding Wealth One House at a TimeFlipping Properties: Generate Instant Cash Profits in Real EstateMaking Big Money Investing in Foreclosures: Without Cash or CreditThe above are all titles you can find on Amazon.

Our market is on fire and the payday is there, but long term strategy wise seems to be instant gratification over long term prosperity.  

You, however would have an instant gain of about 15,000 (the appresion on the house this far) that you would have to consider if and when you sell the house.

the front doors looked like pin cushions.. but you talk about instant feedback. 

If the ARV was $120k (hypothetically), you’d have $30k instant equity.  

This is especially important in a society that increasingly demands instant gratification ("Why can't I get a phone app to do everything related to the investment with just one click"?)

I suspect many inexperienced investors, that do not understand the full cost of buy n hold, are under calculating long-term costs and may not even realize that they are purchasing a cash flow negative house.  1% properties have not been found on MLS here since maybe 2013.  50% rule would show every purchase at large negative cash flow (but at our rent point the 50% rule is too conservative).I look for value adds that reduce my investment amount and provide instant sweat equity. 

No matter what the story that the tenant gives you, begin the eviction according to your state's laws the instant that the rent is not paid in full by the end of your state's grace period.