I would be going about it all wrong if I said I am a realtor and I want to make more money studying to be a programmer part time and do freelance work so I can save and invest.  

They fail to maintain the property because they live far away and didn't want to own rental property in the first place, it no longer attracts desirable tenants because of it's rundown state, and the long-distance landlord eventually lets the property go back to the bank so they don't have to worry about it any longer.

Those who want to earn more in the long-term maintain and leverage the debt (amidst the nightmares of market crashes, etc..).

With oil prices slated to remain low for a few years, we have a slow down looming in my industry.Currently I know very little about REI, but I am a quick study, and very excited to learn and meet new people.

In my area, a foreclosure or short sale or reverse mortgage that needs repairs is discounted heavily enough for me to make a nice profit and maintain a healthy roi for the investor if they accept my low offer.

I've studied the crime maps, the demographics, the vacancy rates, etc.

I've also had the opposite happen where the bank did let the buyer walk and the property languished for months back on the market.If you used a standard contract, there should be a clause that states that the seller is to maintain the property in the same condition throughout the contract period.

Then maintaining transparency within the sale and understand what I am legally allowed to do(or not do) without a license. 

(assuming a corporate tax election has not been made)Except now you have costs to maintain this structure.Single member LLCs are generally for legal liability protection, not tax savings.

You owe it to your tenants to maintain the properties they live in, and this could mean making expensive repairs at a moments notice.