Right now I know the interest rate is high and all.

So, if you 1031 into an asset worth $700K or more to fully defer taxes, you'll have around $240K or so to put down (there are fees and deductions so these numbers are general). 

They want me to pay their license fee and a fee for pulling the permits and putting their name on the job.

This town is very small in population (population trend not growing) although has a community college that is less than half mile walking distance from ANY of the properties (community college population is growing at WELL above avg rate(dorm rate 850mth))

I know I am splitting hairs here, but accredited only offerings do not make someone better or worse than doing non-accredited offerings.Onto a part that I can speak to: Section 8 properties take more work than market rate offerings.  

Monitor metrics like click-through rates, engagement, and conversions, and A/B test different ad copies, images, and targeting options to optimize performance.Ensure your ad links to a landing page with a clear call-to-action where sellers can easily contact you.

As others have mentioned in the above posts, you will have some limited options at the $300k range if you are buying a home at today's interest rates. 

The current owner has a rockstar interest rate due to a physician's loan.

Rates are higher than they've been and it's harder to find cash flow.

So I would most likely need an electrician on top of the installation fee from the city.