I'm not anti-HML, just saying, that is not the goal to work toward. :)   

The ones that are in decent shape (not foundation/structural/mold/toxin issues) are priced a little bit more than what I think would make sense for an investment. 

@Chris Gilbert unfortunately it sounds like the cost to build the deck will need to be capitalized.There is an "anti-abuse" clause to the De Minimis Safe Harbor.

Just to briefly touch on the OP I’m an anti-camera guy.

Then work backwards to ask questions that encourage a process-driven focus, and anti-resulting.

I don't think it'll change until prices get so high that developers find the reward to be worth the hassle and the anti-development crowd gets drowned out by the people who can't afford to live in their own town.I guess all of that makes it obvious why I've been buying a lot of rental houses.  

In order, I would research:1 - Anti Discrimination in Housing, including the questions you can and cannot ask during the tenant screening process.2 - Lease law - how to construct an iron-clad lease3 - Eviction process and law - hopefully you will never need this.Read up on some of the success stories here on BP.  

You can get yourself into trouble if you start breaking anti-steering laws saying one neighborhood is better than another.

I use to work in environmental toxins in the Army.  

I make them inform me so I can have someone look at what they have in there to make sure it's safe as far as electrical usage, water drainage issues etc...A lot of landlords in Pueblo are anti-marijuana but the way I see it, the tenants are going to do it regardless if I let them or not.