Is it a value add or a liability (or a money sink) as far as rentals go?

Appreciate guidance on high value materials, as there is so much to choose from.  

Ive got my situation back together and im ready to give it another go but ive heard people saying that its tough to make a profit because marketing is so expensive in most cities.

As far as earnest money from the seller, most gurus tell you to put $10 down, but I honestly feel some buyers might not take me seriously if I were to pull out a $10 bill at the end of negotiating a contract, so I was thinking of going with $100.

You will get incredible knowledge on how to research, identify, build your team and learn each area's specific challenges - for example cracked slabs in San Diego, Foundation issues in Texas, Termites in Atlanta, etc.As far as wholesaling, the quick answer is to pay a local wholesaler to bring you a cash buyer.  

The slightly higher rate is justifiable to me in exchange for the extra flexibility.As far as qualifying for a loan, on investment property you can go up to 50% Debt-to-income ratio on these properties.  

I agree with @Daniel MohnkernDaniel you being in California has a whole different set of potential problems as my parents have been on the wrong side of this situation and the end result was the tenants got to stay in the property for 9 months and then they had to pay for their moving expenses because of a "perceived" violation of their rights....Anyways as far as whether the property is abandoned if you are getting rent money then I would not disturb it, if you stop getting money and they are gone then thats a different story.

Yes, the junior lien holder was wiped out but she has the rights of the junior lien holder as far as a payoff is concerned and ability to gain relevant pertinent information on the senior lien.

The ex-wife has talked with the bank about doing a deed in lieu when the time comes, but i don't think that is allowed with deed in lieus because i think that only works as your primary residence as far as I understand and even if it did i think the amount would be taxed as income so she'd have an unexpected tax bill.The house is under water.  

I believe that 5th and Mifflin is in the Dickinson Narrows or Wharton neighborhoods.As far as the child poverty rate, Philadelphia has one of the highest poverty  rates, standing at 22.10 in the nation according to the last census report.