I would tread carefully 02,04,06,08,09,19,54 .Though they all have their good places.After I narrowed down block and brick in decent enough zip codes, I would view each address permit history for the latest upgrades or replacementsHope this helps

If its SFH/4units I'll look at the comps to see what the property is worth, I'm aiming to get as close to 20% as possible, sometimes I can get there through a value add after purchase i.e. add extra bedroom, garage, etc. other times I come just short of it. 

While the apartment is not high end by any means, it certainly is a more expensive rehab than one would do in a low income area.Paint and flooring materials used- Wall paint is Sherwin Williams Navajo White- Ceiling and trim paint is Sherwin Williams Ceiling Bright White and Extra White for the trim- Kitchen/Dining/Bathroom floors are TrafficMaster Quartz Stone Vinyl Tile- Living area/bedroom flooring is Traffic Master Allure Country PineOther upgrades done to the unit- windows are new- the entire bathroom was gutted to the studs and redone.- countertop is new- we painted the existing cabinets and put new hardware on them- in the 3 season porch we frosted 2 of the windows and then just painted the existing walls, ceiling, floor

Now if the property has open permit or violations this is separate from liens and should've been negotiated with your Purchase contract.

Once the bid was accepted it was a constant back and forth about how if I wanted to “upgrade” to nice hardware it was going to cost me extra.

Isn't BAH just direct deposited into your account, so find a place and live below your means save the extra.

I would layer on top of that strategy renting out extra rooms. 

We set aside all extra pays: combat, hostile fire, tax free, bonus payments...everything extra...as down payments for our rentals. 

I see it and have to deal with the extra time and effort needed to work badly structured and submitted offer after offer, house after house.   

I'm guessing it would be on the renter to pay the water-bill, so it's unlikely anyone in a rental wants to pay an extra $250/mo in summer to keep their front yard green.