In addition, look in Attleboro.Acquisition prices are lower, and so are the rents - but I frequently see MFRs that meet the 1% and even 2% rule.Check the crime heat maps on Trulia to get a feel for the neighborhoods.BTW, New Bedford has done a really nice job cleaning up the waterfront. 

You will want to decide what is most important: lower fees, quick processing time, proximity to you.

I believe it takes 5 business days, or you can pay a $2.99 fee to lower it to 3 business days. 

Since I prefer A to B-/C+ class neighborhoods and properties, I am willing to accept a lower return up front if I think there's room for rent growth in the future. 

Make a little now with a "line of credit" for next one at lower than bank rate.

I’ve been buying properties in OH at a lower price point cash.

The loan servicers we work with all allow for "recasting," which means you can have your payment lowered without needing to refinance if you pay down the balance significantly... see if your personal home's loan servicer offers that, if needed.

Furthermore, the only investor clients I’ve worked with have purchased cash and rehabbed with cash Wondering how, if possible, to start the process into searching for these types of properties and getting a “leg up” into obtaining them.

If you believe that holding cost will supersede cost increase then hold and if marginal or lower then sell.   

It should be priced somewhat lower due to condition, if rehab is cosmetic only (which it probably isn't in a home that old)  You could spend about $30,000 or a little more if you did everything