Your actionable steps in this order: Fix your credit, get out of debt. 

Nevertheless- If you've taken care of the bldg the way I know you have then the building violation & your case against the tenant will travel along different tracks.  

The best part of the deal was the owners covered the closing costs and where able to do a sellers finance credit (I believe thats what its called ) for $5,000.

Then you can expand this strategy to different markets and track ROI on each individual campaign so you know your money is being spent wisely.

I will check with my credit union. 

Daphne V. if you are just starting and want to be simple (as well as free potentially) I have no problem telling people to get started on Excel (or Google sheets) to track and categorize expenses.  

I am starting out with around $50,000 to invest (also great credit score and cosigners if needed) and can probably find some decent homes here in Lexington that I could buy and flip in that price range but not so much in Colorado.

The seller avoids foreclosure and walks away with his credit more or less intact, his mortgage paid off, and $15k in his pocket to start a new life.3.

Credit them the few days back off of rent.Sorry you are facing this and wish you well either way!

I would say that you are on the right track, but you can also buy way less risky properties.