The fact that it's damaging your property and could be causing a safety hazard for the tenant I would imagine would give you a reasonable cause...

How does a literature teacher and busy mom of 5 finally believe her husband that real estate is what she should be doing?

@Sean Morrisey I saw an empty lot that was being used in the South Loop as a parking lot (30-45 cars I imagine).

If you had other properties paid for, I would try to use them as "collateral" in this.I can't imagine any private investors being willing to pony up money if you have never been a landlord before... let alone "big" money for a 100+ apartment complex.Start small.

After screening some of the markets within manageable distance, I believe Philly is good place to buy and hold for a starter like myself to have a taste in REI: relatively lower price to rent ratio, with the potential of appreciation due to the population influx caused by living cost increase in NJ and NYC, and also equally importantly, the high existing demand base to withstand possible impact should anything go wrong in the wider market :)I hope I am on the right track (please tell me if anyone see Philly market differently than I imagined above ).

Most of the literature and audio I've read and listened to highly recommend investing in a neighborhood you know, trust and can visit.

I just can't quite imagine what kind of strangers want to live with 3 others, sharing 1 shower/kitchen/LR per 4 heads.. :-/ Not my style (or I would do it myself & save $100K), but it sounds like this seller has a few... shall we say..

I imagine there are a multitude of outcomes.

I imagine that with the area is why nothing has happened with it yet

I imagine there would be quite a few.