You don't have any way of knowing what condition they got the unit in, unless there's some good documentation from the previous owner (rarely is there), and smoking takes repainting, sometimes new carpet, ozone machines, and deep cleaning of everything to get the smell out so you probably don't have enough deposit to get it done.

That may mean cleaning up your credit and building some savings.

About the only thing we pay other people to do is some HVAC, septic tank pumping and sewer work if it requires deep digging.

This street is lined with some of the most expensive property values in the state but the street is lined with miles and miles of multi-unit apts which go a few blocks deep.

They (locals and politicians) wanted the city "cleaned up" and to be more prosperous.

Yes you can still find off market deals if you clearly define your target and dig deep enough. 

Make it clean, make it new, make it nice, charge top dollar. 

If one takes a pig, cleans it up, perfume, good smelling soap even.

I looked up broom clean’s definition.

I always give my buyers a thorough deep-dive into purchasing their first house-hack of investment property along with understanding the general home buying process.