contractor or maybe contractor these guys that do low value jobs are basically judgement proof as in they have no money..

THEN I assign a confidence level for each line that I used to create a low estimate and high estimate.

Have an idea of the limits you want quoted     - Building - cost to rebuild    - Contents: do you have any business property there (appliances that are not built-in,         maintenance equiptment, furnishings in common areas) - what is the cost to replace them    - Business Income:  What is the total rents minus the costs that don't continue    - Liability:  What limit are you looking for2.

And you don’t want to pay him the gain “under the table” again because besides being illegal, you now have an artificially low cost basis and personally owe all the capital gains tax. 

I'm sure I can get the deal done and these are garden style 3-4 story walk up style which are the low end of market rate 

Tread carefully wherever you buy as there are unforeseen HOA management risks in addition to the special assessments for delayed maintenance and building insurance skyrocketing. 

Apartment Supply Vs Home Supply: a Dickens of a SituationThe supply of total available homes is still too low.

I understand that I can deduct repairs and maintenance, though not improvements.  

In fact, Chicago’s active inventory just set a new 7-year low!

If you invest in areas utilizing government funding Blue states will outperform Red states because they typically have more funding for low-income housing available.