We do not have a resident benefit package, and we keep our tenant fees very low.

Rents are generally low there as well, but definitely stable.

As you grow your portfolio, keep an eye out for lenders who offer low down payment options for investors or those that allow leveraging the equity from your existing properties to fund new ones. 

@Rafael Ramos All your goals contradict each other:(1) Cashflow: buy Class C & D properties2) Appreciation: buy Class A & B properties3) Low Crime: buy Class A & B properties4) Why would you want your investments to lose money to lower your taxes?

So the choice of tenant would be key.On the flip side, reasons to hold: a very low mortgage rate; probably not the case. 

I've read many of the BiggerPockets books like - House Hacking- Flipping- Estimating Rehabs- Multifamily Millionaire Book I and II- How to Invest in Real Estate with Low or No Money Down- Investing from a Distanceand even some outside of themand have been wanting to do something in Real Estate for awhile.

It’s just not worth it in Detroit especially with the low price points. 

Foreclosures ar near all time lows.

Not that I don’t enjoy dealing with tenants, maintenance, lawn care, Home Depot and Lowe’s trips and tenant change overs (I recently put new carpets, kitchen floor, appliances, vanity and mirror in the bathroom and fresh paint in my upstairs unit).

Hey @Brett RiemensniderThere are a TON of banks/credit unions that will offer as low as Prime on a heloc on your primary residence.