In my personal experiences a lot of structural items start with bad drainage.

Make sure that you learn who the elected official is in the office. 

Wanted to get some thoughts from more seasoned small multifamily investors on a few items or any other suggestions:- Any specific pros/cons of any particular states in SE (TN, AL, GA, NC, SC) to consider?

Some may have very small thresholds for repair holdbacks on purchases but this is typically limited to make ready items not to exceed $2,500 in costs to cure.

Items such as this that could be easily replaced by almost any LL at a very minimal cost, will turn into a $135 aggravation at best if you overlook it!

If the house has all major components in working order a few cosmetic items doesn't make it not livable.

This is a lesson I have learned on a few occasions. 

I'm an out of state investor looking to understand and learn the Pittsburgh market.

I suppose he'll either learn to stay out of trouble or implode.  

Here is a critical item I ran into with other properties: Avantstay has a vendor to take out and bring in the bins.