@Chris Seveney The types of leads I'm targeting are absentee owners, vacant properties, pre-foreclosures, tax delinquencies, and probates. 

It is just a reality how many PMs have no idea how to process claims and have close to 0 systems to protect assets for business owners. 

Sounds like with are under charging our owners by thousands of dollars or they are trying to rip you off.

Quote from @Samuel Hudson: Hello friends I am new the market and recently bought a home in Weehawken 6 months backs .Its a three family home and we are currently doing renovations Right now.The rent leveling board told me that two units would have to follow a rent of 1650 for unit 1 which has three bedrooms and another unknown amount for unit 2 which they don’t have the information for .The previous seller I purchased the property from bought it as a tax lien .He has kept the property vacant for two years with no tenants before selling it to me .However ,the previous Owner he bought it from must have had tenants .I am putting in a lot of money into renovations and want some clarity on the situation I am in .The property has been vacant for the two years and currently still is as we are doing renovation .It would be really appreciated if anyone can assist me on what information needs to be provided by from the previous seller for me to be able to set the rent based on the market value .Thank you . 

Would she need to be an owner occupant in the eyes of the lender.

Honestly, I've given up on finding cashflow anywhere close to the city due to rates and prices, BUT some other opportunities you may want to consider are:Live in flip - mentioned earlier in this thread, always a solid option in any market.Condo conversions - good money to be made from this and since they're a little trickier than a traditional flip there tends to be more inventory available that would allow for a profit.ADUs - come February 2nd, ADUs are allowed BY RIGHT on any SF property in the state, owner occupied or not.

I recently purchased a 2 unit property as owner occupied with one unit already rented out. 3 months after closing, I was laid off due to a restructure at my company, so I decided to rent out the other unit my girlfriend and I planned to live in.

My favorite way to find a mentor was to look on Zillow for houses for rent in your area and then click on the ones that are 'for rent by owner' then call them and introduce yourself as an investor in the area who is looking to meet new investors. 

That will be important if you own a property because you might need to divert cash from saving to repairs as a home owner. 

Your interest rates are low. 8.5% is around the "market rate" for owner finance buyers right now...30-yr, fully-amortizing2.