If they end up appreciating a bit, great that can be a bonus, but for the most part I just want solid middle of the road cash flow investments that will be beneficial over time and just want to make sure I don't do something stupid over 6K in the mean time - Pennies wise, pound foolish indeed

Does anyone know of any around the Philadelphia area  or even on the east coast?

This is close to one I'm in the middle of now and will cash out in Nov, I'm going to round some numbers though for easy math.Purchase price was $54K rehab ran me about $9K total, so all in for $63K.

I am also from North Texas, but I don't like to go East of Denton or the Mid Cities if I can avoid it somehow. 

Here's my situation: 24, recent MIS grad from East Carolina University.

@Ned Carey   Too funny would not think any East coast folks would know who Joe Kaiser is.No Joe got hammered by the WA AG for doing tax sale overages.

The neighborhood went from middle class to war zone, so the strong desire to get it sold overcame any sentiment of childhood memories.

Lower middle to lower class community.  

Since he is disabled, I wouldn't invest as heavily in the East End because it is more work finding qualified tenants and turnover will be higher. 

My approach: buy a single-family home in a middle-class area, hire a property manager so I don't have to stress, and hold it for the next 20 years.