Risks can be mitigated and avoided to a large degree, but never fully eliminated ... so there is no investment vehicle in the world that will allow you to multiply your money 2-8x in 2-4 years with zero risk ... you should run away from anyone telling you otherwise. 4 things will keep you out of trouble and safe in a downturn, and you need all 4 (not just one):Equity: From a down payment and/or forced and/or market appreciationQuality Cash Flow: Not just any cash flow, but low maintenance, low volatility, stable, high quality cash flow that comes from high quality tenants who want to live in high quality property in high quality location.

You will mostly have two parts with a knob in the middle of each part that, when pulled, will pull out the middle of that door-duo and have the outer edges slide along a railing on the top of the opening.

FIRST UNIT ADDRESSScope of WorkINTERIORCut steam pipe above electrical box in basement and cap securely away from electrical boxSeal hole in floor made by the pipe that was cutSecure interior stairway railing so that it is stable and does not moveIn small room behind bathroom on second floor:Remove the current damaged ceilingDestroy any mold in the ceiling cavity, provide pictures after it is cleanedInstall new drywall ceiling SECOND UNIT ADDRESSScope of WorkINTERIORRemove all current carpet throughout entire unitRemove all flooring layers including subfloor throughout entire unit excluding kitchen, including pantry rooms off of kitchenInstall new plywood subfloor everywhere flooring was removedIn small room behind bathroom on second floor:Remove the current damaged ceilingDestroy any mold in the ceiling cavity, provide clear pictures after it is cleanedInstall new drywall ceiling BOTH UNITS EXTERIORSufficiently grade the ground outside the entire building so that water poured on it will run away from the house at any point ROOFReplace metal flashing on both chimneysReplace damaged slate so as to seal all holes as observed by an interior attic/roof inspectionCLEANUPIt will be the seller’s responsibility to order contractor cleanup of worksites.COSTAll costs will be the responsibility of the seller.

One of the community requirements is for all occupants to display parking decals in their vehicles.

But they still made the previous owner put a railing on the stairs leading in from the garage and fix the flood lights... things I was grateful for, but a real fixer upper might have a whole slew of problems that may not be approved by the VA...  

I've learned how to live with it, but plan to use real estate as my vehicle out of the rat race. 

they would be selling me there vehicles very cheap and they pay there mortgage. then i buy it subject to and sell them there vehicles back.

Incentive to stay, and care for the vehicle.

Hardware is matching the color of the rails. 

Others may be signs of bad tenants, like abandoned vehicles or illegal dumping.