Account Closed , ....don't know if your "ignorant of the risks" comment was directed at me, but I applaud all REI to look at unknown future maintenance, vacancy, capital repair expenses, as well as the potential revenue.

Here is also some advice for real estate investors, always check your RE Agent and their property management licenses, many are personally licensed but are not even aware of the requirement to license their businesses - stay far away from these companies and don't let the RE Agent pull the bait and switch by offering to personally manage your properties and then switch to an unknown and unlicensed entity.  

My wife, who was unknown to me at the time, did the same thing around OSU's campus.  

Once you get a firm grip on what you're doing (and once you can afford to risk more money), THEN you can venture out into unknown territory.That's how I'd approach it anyway.

While it looks to be in pretty good shape, I'm a little hesitant since inspections might find something unknown.

Lesson learned :-)Totally okay, you're sharper than many then, you recognize you may not have given the best advice, many here give advice in areas they have no clue about and never catch on as they continue advising in such unknown topics.

On the other hand, if the other owner cares enough about their property to maintain it inside and out, then that's a much better scenario.I personally won't buy half a duplex because of the unknown factors such as:- don't know anything about existing tenant, could be trouble with my new tenants- hard to sell a half- other owner may be a slum lord - anything that happens next door, is likely to impact you

@Marcia MaynardThe neighborhood is safe, the crime committed was a "domestic" crime (a husband figured that hiring a hit man was more effective than divorcing his wife since he'd have to give her half of all their assets... no prenup) and not a case of unknown thugs coming into the neighborhood.

Currently, with only one rental property, I'm putting a huge emphasis on just getting sufficient cash reserves for both known and unknown repairs, vacancies, etc. 

Hi All,I have a tenant who (for reasons unknown to me) made his rent payment in two separate payments this month.