All tied to the concept of "Ability to Repay" as laid out by the CFPB: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-ability-to-repay-rule-why-is-it-important-to-me-en-1787/. 

But don't listen to me, lots of folks are doing well buying large to small apartments, but its a unique skill and has its difficulties.   

I LOVE creative and unique marketing, helping others, and networking.

I'll try to repay the favor and pay-it-forward. 

I added value by brainstorming with him about it, made the legal and business model unique.

@Philip Johnson hey Philip-Debt to income ratio is what lenders use to determine wether or not you’re capable of repaying a loan.An example of a 48% DTI would be if you had 10,000 in monthly income, and all of your existing monthly debt plus the new loan your applying for totals $4,800 per month. $10,000/$4,800=48%to make it more confusing there is also front end DTI and back end DTI- front end dti includes only your housing expenses while back end includes all lines of credit, housing, car payments etc.

@Christine Lawrence  Out of state investing has some unique challenges but for the most part, most of the challenges are the same as investing locally.

The "experienced agent" paid to be on Zillow and get contacted, as long as there is nothing insanely unique about the area I would go with the friend. 

If it helps to give perspective, what you're seeing is not unique just to the KC metro. 

It had 2 kitchens a huge living room, a pool table room, 5 bedroom & 4 baths.They are interesting pieces of history that require some very unique knowledge to maintain, but people love them.