They spend everything they've got to make their first purchase so they have nothing saved up for the unforeseen issues that always pop up and they're still practicing the same bad financial habits they always have.It's beset to have a strong foundation with good credit, an emergency fund, etc.

Forbes has a habit of putting something like this out every few years.The "bad" thing about investing your IRA in real estate is that the main Wall Street players do not have control over your funds and the means to earn commissions selling financial instruments.His arguments are entirely tilted towards to negative and not providing any context or perspective.I could just as easily pick 3 or 4 historically bad stock investments (Enron) or high fee annuities, and make it sound like that was all that you could expect if you went to a conventional brokerage - which is clearly not the case.For someone who understands real estate as an asset class, there is the potential to have your IRA produce consistent returns and have true diversification away from the news-cycle volatility of conventional financial products.

This won't be the last time a tenant will be inconvenienced by the need for you to do a repair or do maintenance at the property.The home was still habitable.

It REALLY needed it, but it was habitable.

Your job is to provide habitable housing in exchange for rent, nothing more.Also as an aside not being able to contact her isn't that weird.

2) what would it be worth restored to clean and habitable condition?

Uninterested third party opinions (in my experience) do more harm than good.

Vermont does write a great deal of habitational. 

@Craig S.Remember credit score is a number based on patterns and habits. 

Secondly when you're not working 2-4 open houses a weekend (yes that's a must when getting started) and having the 30-60 minute coffee appointment, focus on establishing accountability partners (brokers who have also started recently or in a similar groove as you), listen to podcasts or read books, and work establishing good habits early and developing a good mindset.