I am looking into purchasing more properties, and want to have some kind of Holdings Co where the taxable income flows through so I can tax advantage of the corporate tax rate.2.

I know of a realtor or two who will informally watch over a client's house and at least one house-cleaner who would clean between stays, but that's about all I have.  

As I move purchase price and terms around as we negotiate, at what cash flow amount would you pass on the deal?

However, there's obviously no guarantee in what they'll find... so - how do folks mitigate the risk of the 2k-5k loss when looking to purchase a new property for a plan like this?

Any particular part of the city you want to live in....giant place.What drives the purchase?   

I invest OOS, where my risk tolerance is the lowest and may end up purchasing a lower priced property well within my budget where I can cover any vacancies/emergencies using my own capital.

Thank so much for all the valuable information. 

Purchase price: $90,000 Cash invested: $50,000 Sale price: $289,000 4 family building purchased in distress in Mount Pleasant neighborhood, previously owner occupied for quite some time, the owner could no longer care for it.

How are you financing your purchases in this lending environment?

Quote from @Theresa Hansen: Make your purchase contingent on removing the squatters first so you can inspect the property.