I am not sure why is that but you have to be careful on what are the agreement on that contract.In this case, I would recommend to get involved with a investor friendly realtor who will help you as it could be many issues during the process as the titles are not clean in most cases and many variables have to be checked. 

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Let’s start a list of issues with the property it self and how we fixed them:1.

But if I could do it again I would buy a duplex to quadplex and take advantage of the ability to buy it with little or no money down (VA or FHA if eligible) and have started collecting rent much sooner.Advice I wish I had gotten earlier would definitely be accounting and tax related. 

Honestly, I don't think it is worth using one of those companies unless the house is really in terrible condition and has issues with title, major city liens, is a part of a lawsuit, etc.

It also offers a tax deduction and is a homestead protected against most financial issues or non payment under a Chapter 13 law and a rental is basically a debt burden that if you cannot pay or something happens you get evicted.

I don't want to purchase more properties—we bought the one in NH to move to when my husband retires, which is a ways off—but I know I'd like to do something related.

If you really want to build 'affordable housing' - and the debate is still open if that is indeed an issue and how and why.... then the first thing to do is get the govt to go away.

Depending on the specific details and the local laws, they may not be able to sell the property until you have resolved the issue. 

If it was a less damaging issue I might wait it out, but water, fire and 'safety' (CO detector etc) and it would be on my schedule not theirs.