Did you know that because you have debt on the property you are going to pay more taxes than if you bought it outside your IRA?  

Their parents are very involved and they love our safe location and renovated units.Because they are outside they love and take advantage of our parks, beaches, town and public transportation...Never an issue with rent (but that has been the case with all of my tenants), and they absorb increases in stride.

There are also many online sites that provide crime statistics, if that's your primary concern.It's hard for me to mentally map the zoo/botanical garden in Roger Williams Park to neighborhoods outside the Park, but generally speaking the parts of Cranston that border Providence, around the Park (e.g., Elmwood and part of Broad St especially around/past the cemetery), are a bit tougher than ones that don't (e.g., near Park View middle school or parts closer to Edgewood than Providence).As far as self managing vs. using a property management company, I don't really know your situation - e.g., how far away you are, how much time you have to devote to the property, managing service calls, going there if necessary, ability to do your own work, etc.So that's something you'll really need to decide for yourself - though I would say as a new person, you should expect that you'll be there a bit more than you "imagine" you will be (at least that was my experience when I was new 15+ yrs ago).If you do decide to hire it out, I can recommend a couple of local companies.

But outside of a town with less than 25k people there are probably 10-100+ different neighborhoods with different rents in every city. 

Most CPA's outside of Ohio miss this.For example, an investor who has properties in Cleveland may be required to file a Federal Tax Return, Ohio Tax Return and a Cleveland Tax Return.Best of luck to you in your search.

The outside is dilapidated yes but the main structure seems sturdy, there is some yard upkeep that would need to be done as well.

I take the lesser of these two values.Real life example (numbers simplified):  Duplex in Hendersonville, NC (outside Asheville)(this is a few years ago, so these numbers vary today)ARV is $200k with $800/mo market rent70% LTV = $140kExpenses are ~40% of gross rent NOI = $960/moRehab/closing costs, etc = $10k (this one needed very little)Perfect BRRRR = $130k purchase price (I went above this)$200/mo cash flow = $760 P&I mortgage payment @ 4% = $159,000 mortgage - $10k = $149k MAOActual Purchase Price:  $142,500Mortgage:  $140k @ 4% = $668/moCash Flow:  $292/moBasis after BRRRR = $142500 + $10k - $140k = $12,500CoC = $292*12 = $3504/year / $12,500 = 28%The BRRRR was great, but the real value is this property is now worth $280k. 

. - if you are open to venturing outside DFW (north) and look northeast to Greenville (red hot) or Caddo Mills (just outside Greenville) you can find cash flowing properties in the $200-$225k range.

Don’t allow outside showings and you’ll still probably receive 10+ offers if the house is in good condition.

You will have a life outside of the military.