If there are serious health/safety issues, you can negotiate those with the owner after inspection.The money you spend to upgrade apts MUST increase rents in proper proportion to the investment.

I was a tenant for 10+ years in numerous properties and learned real quick you rarely get a full deposit back.

Background for those responding, I'm a year out of grad school and make a well salaried job in health care (6 figure NO bragging intended).

Health savings?

People are returning to work at a slower pace, the coronavirus is spreading rapidly again, and Washington has failed to pass a second coronavirus-relief bill, triggering fresh worries about the health of our economy.

I don't live in your market but I've discussed it numerous times with other investors.

Should I focus on buying a home that’s a light fixer , so I can live in it and Reno to gain equity (and make it somewhat a long term flip or future rental property), THEN find an investment property, ie - mental health/sanity first...?....

I would be happy with 20% of the deal at no money and finding two individuals will to put in $55k for 40% of the property.My other concern is the health of the market.

@Valentina Ayala  This can actually be a serious health/safety issue and I would not ignore it.  

Any numerical thresholds or back of the envelope calculations you (or others) use?