Either way you do it if it is an owner occupied property, you will be subject to SAFE act and all that goes with it.

Their responsibilities often include upgrading the housing stock,providing clean, safe, affordable housing to their clientle,.

Pouring environmentally-safe anti-freeze down the drains and in toilet bowls and tanks can keep water remaining in the P-traps from freezing as well.I do want to commend you for having your neighbors check on the property. 

You could safely say that you only have 18 Christmas's with your kids before you "legally" can no longer make them wear matching pjs and sip hot cocoa in front of the tree.

Does anyone have experience with this particular technique?

@Melissa W had great points...also find someone who's familiar with the codes in your area...example - do they allow cast iron pipes to connect to PVC or other little things we may not think of at first but can cost $$$...I think its safe to say most of us (myself included) underestimate rehab or prep costs at first so def have someone go through with you...Talk to a local bank, they may give better rates (one we use allows 15% down) than larger banks for investing...also find out how its all set-up (residential, commercial) and how it may affect loan...My brother manages a very similar place with apartment/storefront...he turned basement space into storage units if looking for extra sources of income...

Tell him 80,000 and use those negotiation techniques

Looking at a SFR deal as a result from direct mail marketing but I am waffling on the 'What Ifs'.  This is a 3/2 in my local area that can rent between $1100-$1200/month.  The owner (retired broker) owns it free and c...

You can use various marketing techniques to contact the property owners.

We also do annual inspections before we renew leases, and we let out tenants know that this is to make sure everything in the house is safe and functioning like it should.