well, I have some luck to get deals from MLS recently. got a 4 PLEX 60k UNDER THE MARKET VALUE.Here is the catch. it usually is distress and you need the full cash offer with no inspection to fight for the deals on mls nowadays. 

I have heard the more you fight the better the deal gets.

@Casey MilesOne more thing you aren't normally looking at credit of guarantor depending on size but rather the amount of monthly donations they average when looking at their capability to stay.

(Now don’t get me wrong, if the tenant played hardball, we’d probably give them the security deposit back if it meant they wouldn’t continue to fight it.

@Ronald ErwinI'd say the 2 keys strategically to avoid this are:Invest in yourself and your capabilities, and if needed continue working. 

Keep in mind that most of the time it's not the daily coffees and such that hit your savings capability the most. 

The roommate is fighting the eviction as she claims she paid rent through December by paying all of September and half of October. 

Heat tape is your number one choice, but if there is a gap in the skirting that allows the wind to get to the pipe, you are fighting a losing battle. 

in order for the neighbors to not hate you and fight you you might want to consider more modern modular methodshttps://www.sustainablelivinginnovations.com/Not only can you get more apartments in the same footprint but on a "per sqft" basis the rent is higher.   

Sometimes it's more pragmatic to let it slide than fight for principle.