I as a Board member has suggested to do it in phases, so that the amount and repairs can be spread over time with the urgent repairs taking priority.

I suspect you need pay 20-30% more than you listed above to get it, unless it is a real dog inside.

Currently, we are in a steal of a 1 bdrm cottage, but with dogs and a plan for a baby in the near future, my dear wife would like to acquire another bedroom and a small plot of land.

It's not just his hygiene (which is also a problem), but he also has a couple dogs which smell, I saw mouse traps when walking through his unit, there may have even been flees living in the unit with him and the dogs. 

Don't let the tax tail wag the dog it's attached to.Just plug the state taxes into your numbers.If the numbers still work, then go ahead and invest in the state that has taxes.If the numbers don't work, then don't invest in that particular deal and look for others.

The dog can go back to the pound.

I just don't want to catch anyone off-guard and have a review that said their stay was ruined by a dog that is barking constantly.Do I talk to this neighbor about his dog and try to offer a solution? 

I can make any single data point be a rockstar or total dog at the click of a mouse.

So I am hoping to source deals for some seasoned investor(s) in the New York City/New Jersey area to gain some new experience and to develop new skills.  Any leads would be appreciated.  Thanks!

states i would rethink that and simply get a nice large dog deposit..