LTB stands with the tenant because the lawn/snow clause is void, and the discounted rent stays because you can't just jack up their rent because you found out your void clause is void.

Any suggestions???

My team and I are new to investing..we know someone who lives in Baltimore that suggests we take a look at Maryland to invest in an apartment building, but they're not into real estate so it was merely a suggestion. 

I recently attended a RE meetup event and the speaker emphasized treating real estate investments as cold, number-driven investments and actually suggested buying properties physically far away from the investor is one way to control for this to ensure that investment decisions are made dispassionately.

Any suggestions, tips, advice, don't-do lists that you all can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Any suggestions in the Northern New Jersey area?

There just aren't a ton of MFH on the market for a reasonable price2) Investing out of this market (say, Spokane, where its cheaper) is hard as well because I have to purchase and manage a property that is hours away by car, and this being my first investment, I'm not sure how well it would work to be so far away.So I'm sort of generalizing my concerns, so maybe someone has suggestions on how I can achieve #1 given my sitation.This leads me to this idea.  

They suggested a couple more repairs after I engaged them, and within two weeks we had a few applications for tenants. 

Personally I don't give in to tenants but I also charge when I KNOW I can win so I can stand behind it.

My suggestion for you is as Jay alludes, do not start in non-performing loans.