"seems" doesnt always mean it is fine, but obviously you can check yourself if there is a leak, everything run perfectly, circuits are dedicated etc...if " seems' means you  know your basics, you can skip inspection.

What is the likelihood your tenant in a $85k home in Casa Grande will be able to afford a substantial repair like an HVAC or slab leak?

I know a Dr. who owns 50+ units and has a full time manager help with the day to day and I know a commercial banker who owned his own properties but was tired of fixing leaking pipes during winter on the weekends and gave up his active ownership of apartments because the work wasn’t worth it.

The bad news in my case is that a year after we replaced the compressor on my 20 year old heat pump unit, it finally started to leak elseware and the heating cooling capacity diminished and we determined it was time to replace. so hopefully your compressor buys you some more time, but know that other issues can still develop.That timeframe is frustrating but relatively reasonable.

The city, county, and sewer company tell me they don’t help out with the cost, it’s all put on the homeowner.I suppose what I have now is a failing tank that’s leaking, but otherwise not failing in the sense that it likely won’t come back up into the house.

Enter the "non-qm" and "alt doc" loans with their trash rates stage left....Hopefully Fannie/Freddie coming out of federal conservatorship rationalizes things a bit.It's not substantially different in your line of work.

There are always 2 sides to the story.Unfortunately, certain repairs and maintenance are your responsibility (roof leaks, plumbing, electrical, etc..).  

Everything works as it should (ie, faucets and toilets aren't leaking, outlets all work and are wired correctly, ceiling fans and lights all work and so forth.

I'd never dissuade anyone, but if you don't have any money to begin with, what happens when the fridge breaks and the roof leaks month 1?

I would consider opening a vanguard mutual fund account and just leaking say $100 month there automatically forever.