However, I would just run numbers carefully on the properties you have available and start to narrow down areas in surrounding areas that have the most potential for growth in the city, appreciation, new infrastructure, etc. 

I would care about that far more than whatever rent is owed. 

Since no one in my close circle is available or cares I figured I'd extend the invite to anyone in the BP family that is local. 

Usually tenants like that will not properly care for the unit, so I would make sure you will be able to cover the cost of turning over the property. 

There's a reason credit cards can't be used as down payments and the reason is that lenders want you to have skin in the game.

Obama’s care made it worse but trump taxes I think may be making it a little better. 

Bandit signs can be done cheaply.. just be careful and mindful of your city's laws on where to put them up.

Just be careful trying to pull those off, I've had whole plaster walls disintegrate when I've done that!

But you want to be careful to do this correctly, particularly if you're forming an LLC (venture-specific or otherwise).

A good one will take care of filling units with low maintenance tenants cause they want to spend as little time and effort getting paid as possible.