My questions would be is it possible to find lenders given my low credit score?

@Katie Haney  careful that price range and tenant range is for experts in the local market generally.. out of state folks stand a very good chance of having some pretty rough financial times .. take your 50k and buy something for 150k you will thank your self over time. there is a reason a duplex would sell that low in todays market.. the market is pricing for risk.. when you live out of market your risk already goes up... there are plenty of better buys out there .. than a duplex at 50k..

Inventory is always low here.

My perspective is that a lot of people think certain businesses are low-touch.

Had charges for gutter cleaning, chimney cleaning....and the kicker.... light bulbs!!!

@Mary Joe Not meaning to be a smart ***, but if you are looking for passive, low return, risk averse, long term investments, what not just invest in a few good income (dividend paying) blue chip mutual funds?

I would also add real estate and bonds to the list as well.I think we are in a deflationary environment (i.e. too much debt and excessively low interest rates) and expect the value of most asset classes to fall over the coming few years.Like you, I'm saving my cash and hoping to buy my first rental property when prices come back down.Best of luck with your investments!

Your statement would never apply in any Texas jurisdiction Not that I am advocating an eviction in light of the current situation in H Town

If you uncover that answer, it may shed some light on the investment (maybe it's good info and it satisfies my skeptical approach)I have found the biggest three seller motivations (with landlords) are:1) Tenants are subpar and current owner is tired of managing (in this, you're inheriting headaches, eviction, and much higher repair costs than you expect). 2)  An estate took over and just wants to get it gone (in which case there is probably a back balance owed that needs to be flushed out along with a general lack of property knowledge). 3)  My personal favorite: the Owner bought via tax sale deed (and therefore does not want to be a landlord, just wants his investment + reasonable return).If everything checks out, it sounds like a great deal bud.  

He told us what he initially wanted and we made an offer around $100,000 less and the seller accepted.We also asked to do this as a land contract with 20% down 4.5 percent interest which he also accepted.At this point I thought to myself, that's it for the year and low and behold the phone rang.