You would need to know the IMBALANCE between supply of MTR and demand for MTR in your specific market. 

I'm looking into M&T Bank as there are no upfront fees and currently running a HELoC promotion at I believe to be 1.99% that will last for 6 months (switching to variable thereafter). 

Better areas (A, B C+) usually will produce better tenants that take care of your investment.Not trying to give legal device in any way but just supplying my opinion from my experience.

there are several free mileage apps or just pick up a mileage log from office supply store Good Luck  

We are purchasing 8 four plexes with a common water supply.

(A) A landlord who is a party to a rental agreement shall do all of the following:(1) Comply with the requirements of all applicable building, housing, health, and safety codes that materially affect health and safety;(2) Make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;(3) Keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and sanitary condition;(4) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning fixtures and appliances, and elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord;(5) When the landlord is a party to any rental agreements that cover four or more dwelling units in the same structure, provide and maintain appropriate receptacles for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of a dwelling unit, and arrange for their removal;(6) Supply running water, reasonable amounts of hot water, and reasonable heat at all times, except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that purpose, or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection;(7) Not abuse the right of access conferred by division (B) of section 5321.05 of the Revised Code;(8) Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord's intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.

If the property looks good and the number work, then monkey with the numbers to at least cover your hard costs being utilities, property taxes, insurance, loan payment, and cover the variables like repairs, maintenance and vacancy out of your pocket for the 3 years. 

Office supplies, mortgage interest or capital improvements, anything like that for accounting?

Here is an excerpt from our rental agreement that you may find helpful:"MAINTENANCE OF PREMISES: Landlord will maintain all electrical, plumbing, heating, and other facilities and appliances supplied by Landlord in reasonably good working order.

There are too many variables that could have caused them not to succeed like type of letter sent, consistency of mailers sent every month, are they able to negotiate the deals when they come in, are they calling sellers back, do they know their valuation numbers, etc.