All water, gas, and electricity is turned off and they will not turn them on for inspection.

This of course assumes you have your own skin in the game by having installed LED lighting, water saving toilets, watersense rated fixtures, energy star compliant appliances, and have inspected your piping for leaks.

But it does take time, effort, and a lot more energy and just going into work for somebody else every day

Cosmetic fixers with good bones are best since cosmetic items normally add the most value vs cost to fix them compared to the stuff you don't see (plumbing, electric, roof, etc.).

The first, which you are referring to, is when the property owner purchases the solar panels and sells the electricity back to the tenants, presumably at a markup.

The house likely needs a new roof, all new electrical, kitchens, siding, water heaters, furnaces/AC, floor refinishing, and substantial painting.  

I was a bit lax on this one as we own 2 other houses in a a 3 block radius of this one, including the one next door and had no problems with the others - folks in that area tend to take good care of their homes.Lots of little red flags on this property though - they were stealing electricity using jumper cables (who does that?)

Yes school will bring debt but with a major like mechanical engineering, you will start off with a good salary plus engineering is always in high demand so you shouldn't have trouble finding that first job.I myself have a bachelors in electrical engineering and I'm currently working towards buying a multifamily house to "house hack".

She doesn't do electrical or HVAC but did almost everything else for me.

But how does it look with some basic rules: 45% expenses (55% if you pay electricity and gas), current rents (not future).