Also check if it was a conversion that the electric is set up properly and was not a DIY. 

@Brandon VicinusI would not recommend diy.

I do not recommend that approach--I've since wised up and put the duplexes under property management, and gotten my DIY/jack of all trades tendencies under control and converted into more of a 4-hour workweek philosophy. 

. - when you do land those other units, it could be worth considering a shot at a software solution built for DIY landlords (1 - 15 units) to bring some automation to the rental management process, in turn, making things much much easier!

5) DIY jack of all trades maintenance man or hiring it out?

One more comment about offshore: it will not save you on tax (it is usually tax neutral) and will add a lot more paperwork and complexity to your tax return.Cost wise, for a structure like described, I would estimate the domestic setup between $5,000 to $20,000 depending if you go the DIY route with minimum lawyer involvement or the get full package from an asset protection law firm.The annual maintenance cost will probably be around $1000 to $2000 + cost of tax return preparation.Offshore LLC may cost you between $1000 and $4000 to set up and around $400 to $1000 annually thereafter.An offshore trust setup will be more expensive depending on the jurisdiction.

One is "The Pre-Foreclosure Property Investor's Kit: How to Make Money Buying Distressed Real Estate -- Before the Public Auction" by Thomas Lucier.

Is there an online DIY place I can do it?

I know this sounds crazy, but I've been told that diesel fuel will get rid of termites. I'm sure there are environmental issues with this, but I would be terrified of a fire - even years after the treatment. If the in...

I would not recommend a DIY noob doing the stick down after my poor friend goofed it.