So those of us busy professionals who barely have time to breathe have absolutely no desire nor time  to start sending out direct mailings, driving for dollars, searching the MLS all day, dealing with contractors, dealing with tenants, etc. ....

That would be a bare minimum for me considering everything goes perfectly with the rental.  

Account Closed you're  right, a lot of the 2-3 unit buildings especially just get minor paint and carpet touch-ups, as many investors try to do the bare minimum just to get by without any major repairs.

And I passed the test, barely.  

I hated being broke and living in an apartment I could barely afford so I talked my wife into moving to Texas.

Lenders want to see a good and steady income for the past 2 years, and I've been a business owner the entire time and by having a good accountant I barely showed any income for the past 2 years.

I know there are benefits to it, but I’m dealing with completely broke people that can barely pay rent and have any left over $ to put gas in their car.

I'm not sure how so many Americans get brainwashed into working 40 hrs a week for 40 years so they can then live a modest lifestyle when they can now barely enjoy life. 

Like ASAP if I was betting I would bet that most of these parcels if not all are bare land.. its very rare for an improved property on the west coast to get all the way to tax sale or be totally abandoned.. 

I think it kind of funny that they think it's perfectly okay to make a 20k commission for listing a property on the MLS and barely answering their phone.