The catch is that I HAVE to live in the apartment.

I try to look for a company that is the least restrictive and “keep my eyes half closed” on rate.

I'd be happy to put you on my list and keep an eye out for properties in the area you want.If you do want to go through the NPN process and manage it yourself, rather than partnering, there's a lot of education out there. 

I have an eye on a property that would probably yield as much in sales of the junk in and around the home as it would cost me to buy the house - but the weeds and overgrowth and all the broken glass and the time involved in selling the stuff...

It's the less obvious things that tend to catch me, as well as the 'we started enforcing this last year' things.

If you're able to get a better picture from someone who can lay eyes on it - it might be worth paying for those scopes ahead of purchasing in order to get the deals you're looking for quickly and more often.I'd try joining local REI groups on Facebook that may be able to provide you with reviews and recommendation of investors, contractors, and realtors in the area that may help you expand your network.Best of luck to you!

Anything over a 740/750 is equal in the eyes of a lender usually.

Awesome to see a familiar face on here :)I'll take you up on that offer; let's catch up soon!

And now it's going to continue going on longer than it ever should have due to eviction moratoriums.Second, tenants who get more than a month behind seldom ever catch up on rent. 

Like @Marcus Auerbach said, do a review on HVAC and roof, gutters, double check plumbing/drainage, and make sure filters, light bulbs, and smoke detector batteries are all in good working order.Do a walk-through of the property as if you were someone looking for a place to rent with a hypercritical eye.