Here is a standard for 900-1200 sqft row homes in Philly depending on the neighborhood and assuming nothing is wrong with the foundation:South Philly/West Philly West of 52nd Street: 75-85k (contingent upon underpinning basement which is big expense)-Complete gut, redo electric and plumbing, dig the basement, redo everything, Central AC, turn a 3/1 into a 3/2 or 2/2 w/ a master suite higher-end finishes, touch facade.Germantown Close to Germantown Ave/ Cobbs Creek/ West Oak Lane Close to Cheltenham / Better pockets of Olney: 60-70k-same as above but you do not necessarily have to underpin the basement.

You could have a water main leak in the ground going to the building or a bad meter reader at the street where it connects to a cities main.

Then hit the streets and get deals under contract.

The good and bad areas really vary street by street.

There's a vacant property across the street listed as a rent to buy from Rainbow Realty but they are open to cash offers.

Originally posted by @Jacob Graves:@Dalya Mcneil Do you have any info about 5th ave street area??

There are some streets that help divide this wealth, not like a cliff, more like a hill (Whittier, Thurman, etc..)3.

You'll have better luck grinding away and beating the streets.

@Michael Street There are several good points made above from @Arn Cenedella and @Dennis M.. 

Saint Louis City proper is risky depending on the street.