I know that copper lasts longer than asphalt shingle and is more complicated to install.

What exists is prior case law (precedent) where housing court judges are actively throwing out eviction cases when an attorney is not representing the LLC in court.

The owner found out that the ratio of profit to work involved is going to be much smaller, or non-existent, than he thought, and has lost interest in the property.3.

My idea was that down the line I would demolish the existing house and build a MFR since it's zone for that.

Low down payment options exist and there is much less risk.

After a few years of existence, the typical HOA winds up with mostly disinterested owners who will not show up for the annual public meeting where HOA officers are elected.

It's really no different than refinishing existing flooring or repainting, replacing a broken window, or buying a new washing machine when the existing one dies.Now if you were to do something like upgrade to hardwood floors from carpet, that might be a different story. 

With respect to the abandoned properties (existing structures), I search thorough the city's code violations website and I see tons violations and they appear to be very intimidating, to me anyway; as a rehabber with a buy'n hold philosophy, I would not want to be hammered by the city once they find out that we are the new owners. 

@Ben BardI dont a bank exists these days that doesn't offer mobile banking and online bill pay services.

Or if it's the right deal an existing business with good ROI.