For example, when I scheduled an appliance repair, I don't want to have to go searching for a photo of the appliance to read what model it is or hunting in a physical file to find the receipt. 

I have not always judged a property by it's proximity to a sex offender; but that is a great criteria.

@Mario A Garza  If you are looking for physically distressed properties you might want to also consider taking a look at recent code violations issued in your area.

Location usually weighs in first, then size, quality and physical condition.

What I would like to ask is, what are my landlord rights, while waiting for the legal proceedings to complete itself, to protect my property from harm (damage caused by squatter, be it not turning on heat and causing all the pipes to freeze, to physically trashing the property, exposing it to water damage, to burning down the property), and protect me from squatter excessively using water and electricity?

. - Property is in central VA (Lynchburg) in a C-class, maybe D neighborhood, but will be appreciating due to its proximity to downtown.- ARV for a full rehab would be ~70-80k based off comps.

My plan is to start by investing in one single home residence and rent it in year one to better help me get a hands on physical experience in what it is like to have rental property.

@Thomas Moran I have been in this boat before, purchased a value-add property knowing that in additional to physical distress, there were also issues with pre-existing tenants.

With lenders you must pay whatever fees and points they charge at closing.For HOI, that all depends on the size/square footage, type of property (rowhome, twin, detached, multi, etc.) as well as the location (proximity to rivers and creeks may require flood insurance).

Its proximity between LA and OC is prime!