Make a daily appointment with yourself to create an irrevokable learning habit.

I have my license and cannot begin to tell you how much it is vital to  become an agent.

@Maria Wilson I have been using ResidentResearch.com for years and have never had any trouble with them.Credit, criminal and eviction are one one report that is $26 foe each person.I think they have an online application but I like the hard copy with the tenants signature and vital information should I ever need to go after someone for non payment.

I know that being out of state it is vital that I find a strong property management company and a good realtor that works with investors. 

Needs a total renovation, not habitable.

The key is to have the right people on your team that can provide you with the vital market details you need in order to see whats happenin.Good luck on your journey!

Eyeball everything, take lots of pictures, get in the habit of photographing everything especially if you are going to be a landlord.Good luck with your adventures.

They way FHA works (and conventional to a slightly lesser degree) is that they will only lend money to purchase properties they deem to be "habitable and structurally sound" - no major roof issues, no foundation issues, damaged walls, etc.  

In my market, the tenant would still need to pay rent, but the landlord would have to offer a habitable place to live.  

id=26-7c12VALH.pdf looks like the guidelines used to deem if the property is safe and habitable.