We lived in it as a single family residence and over the years of things that looked like they had been renovated started failing… we realized the owner before seemed to have a slap it together cheaply himself mentality.

I do have some money in savings that I could use for a down payment, however if I use only that money, I will be quite limited in how much I can spend. 

I am also in the southern Maryland market and I'm also just getting started.

(biggerpockets.com)Real Estate Professional Status (REPS)Qualifying for real estate professional status can be a game changing tax strategy resulting in significant tax savings especially when utilized with cost segregation studies and accelerated depreciation.

The lot would be great for a condominium but I don't know where to start looking for a multi unit / commercial builder.

John/Jane Doe, and any change in occupants requires mutual agreement of both parties to ensure that the business doesn't start to rotate different employees through with no option?

Property managers also don’t have any incentive to save you money managing your properties.  

The liens start out at $5-6,000 dating anywhere from the 1970's to late 1990's, and usually bear interest at 10-14%.  

@Jay HinrichsReminds me of the cereal companies creating the nutrition / food pyramid.Of course they are gonna have an opinionated pieceI agree in vacation / beach areas they are great but once you start getting into true residential neighborhoods I can see them being very problematic

The one caveat I have about that area is that it is starting to be classified as a declining market.