Most REO sellers will not turn on or allow water to be turned on, or allow repairs for appraisals or before closing, most secondary market loans require all utilities to be on at time of appraisal, minimum 5 years or more roof life left, no holes in walls or flooring larger than a quarter,  or significantly soiled flooring, walls, ect. 

Other than the normal LLC filings, you'll also have to register as a foreign entity to do business in Maryland, but other than that, I think you covered everything that I know of.

How can you pay all the bills and build up reserves (to redo that roof etc)if it is coming out of your pockets which may be pretty empty to begin with.

You need to be aware that your e&o insurance will not cover you when you are a party to the transaction.

After 21 years, you would have:a - 3 propertiesb - No debtc - $22.5k/year in income/cash flowd - Made no profits during those 21 years, and...e - Will have at least had to replace (pay for) 7 - 8 roofs, 6 kitchens, 10 floors, 8 furnaces & HWH, and various other repairs not covered by any hold backs. 

Clearly I can't expect anyone to magically connect a neutral wire but I'm wondering if anyone has ideas past battery powered lights to give these guys some light.Of course... being from Africa living in a tent they live that way here too and cover the windows and walls entirely.

We've had half a roof blow off in a wind storm because the previous owner's contractor didn't install correctly.

I found a 3 unit property and the rents from 2 units covers the full PITI, meaning I can live in the 3rd unit for very little.

I am surprised more folks dont do it - you do need a business account and your business must be approved for x amount of a LOC just to cover rent if something were to happen.

The landlord should determine how much the fines may be and deduct enough from the tenants deposit to cover those fines.