Hello Everyone,My name is Mark Horn, I am committed to achieving financial freedom in the next decade, through rental income and real estate investment. 

@Victoria Jonagan Beyond the obvious of listing with an agent on the mls, try the little free apartment guide circulations that you find at restaurants and newspaper stands.

If you give money to the prior owner who was already in a financially unstable situation, it may not get paid and you will be in trouble.

It's like the lawmakers think every rental property is owned by a billionaire, when in reality most of them are small time landlords who have no rights and can be financially ruined by these tenant friendly laws.Thanks,Christian 

Why do you believe there is a financial advantage to spending money on the exterior of that property.

You typically don't want to invest money that would cause a major impact to your financial life.

My husband and I are relatively new to Real Estate Investing and are seeking to grow a portfolio of cash flowing properties in order to  achieve financial freedom and ultimately support our desire to serve as missionaries.  

@Jay Wood  More than likely Wells Fargo will be standing at the auction alongside the guy with $35,000 and will bid the property up to $60,000. 

If your whole sale runs you a extra 10K are you financially OK with that?

You'll need a good financial model in which to input the T-12 and rent roll data.