I have many licensed attorney friends that specialize in real estate law who I can and do call all the time and pick their brains. 

Older residential properties in poor repair are likely to be picked up and ploughed under as part of secondary commercial redevelopment. 

No one else will make them submit to thatDrug tests are weak indicators of drug usage and tenant responsibility. drug tests are pretty much only good at picking up marijuana, and to deny someone a living space because of marijuana use is just crazy imo.

What if it was filed by a contractor or some other random person?

That said, the volume has dropped off considerably from its peak in my market 2 years ago while other sectors of construction have picked up for us which essentially allows us to be much more selective in what work we accept.

Now we have staff that takes our calls but I still love ^ that approach if you can't pick up. 

As this is the low season, maybe we can pick up something on the inexpensive but spectacular end of the spectrum.  

If you want to be more of an investor then find an investor to work for and take it all in.I personally would be an agent on the nights and weekends for a couple months to get your "feet wet" and as things are picking up then make the jump.  

just calling random contractors wont work .

Also will continue to pick up the right 1-4 unit buildings, although my end goal is to be consolidated into fewer buildings or "higher-end" SFHs.I am always down to talk to people about their experiences in RE over a coffee or beer and make the right connections.