Don't want to waste your time.

Although i believe if you're completely new and plan on contracting out most of the work, its more important to study the areas, network and vet your people than to worry about the WHERE - theres certainly upsides for focussing solely on markets outside your own, its certainly doable and a lot of people do it, even (or maybe especially) when your starting out, the added risk can be minimized and downsides you cant eliminate may be worth the upsides.

Account Closed the tax assessed value has basically nothing to do with actual value, so an offer for 30% of the asking price is just going to be a waste of time, if it makes sense close to the asking price for you go ahead and offer if not just move on to the next property, no sense in burning bridges with an insulting offer.

@Jason Y.It is only a matter of time that tenant will stop paying completely...I would offer him money for key NOW... that would likely minimize your loss, compare to drag this out

These cracks are purely cosmetic and don't waste any significant level of energy or pose any security risks. 

However, the bill will be minimal and in some cases you may have a credit due to not using the power companies power.

My excitement to get started lead me to reach out to people prematurely with no real plan (I hate when people waste my time too).

Probably just saved me a lot of wasted time! 

For what it's worth, I started out at age 22, the house was kind of dumpy so I did some initial, minimal cosmetic fixes and got a couple of roommates while I lived in the basement, which was not finished and served as a pretty powerful motivator to get it finished in my spare time.

I’ve received several recommendations including rehabbing one unit at a time while keeping the other units occupied to minimize holding expenses, while others have suggested vacating the entire property upfront prior to renovations.