I have been looking in a few cities outside of my own, and I was hoping someone out there had some great advice for the best markets to find great deals on distressed properties to rehab and sell for profit. 

My compensation comes from the end Lender who is disclosed upfront.You should also be wary of paying any upfront fees, outside of appraisal fee.  

That is exactly why the higher dollar markets have bigger crashes when money dries up as owners have no cash flow coupled with losses in value, even below their purchase price, which causes investors to flee the market.Rentals outside of Texas, especially the high dollar states like the east and west coasts (with the southern coasts excepted) typically have significantly less cash flow or even negative cash flow for rentals so all profit is expected from buying below market, principle pay down AND (mostly) appreciation. 

Because I live outside the state, my sister as been managing the properties for me. 

Outside of that, Multis are like pink elephants or unicorns.

I live right outside of Dallas Texas and I am looking forward to make a new living there.  

By the looks of it i would say your Dad is right, it looks like the concrete has deteriorated due to water. you do not need a foundation co. just hire a mason to cement it back up inside, but first take care of the cause on the outside, get that leader pipe to drain away from the house by either extending the pipe above ground or dig a shallow trench and run a pipe under ground away from the house. also make sure the soil around the house is pitched away so that water moves away from the house.

Also wood siding on the outside is wearing out, needs to be replaced, looks like they patched it in places with plastic sidding.  

I am beginning in my local market of blount county, which is right outside of Knoxville, TN. 

If you buy properties outside of your county/state, do the property taxes still go towards these things?