That way if they pay the rent amount but not the utility/late fee, we can deduct the utility/late fee amount due and hit them with late rent because they didn't pay the full amount of rent. 

@Gilbert Dominguez I have a certain amount of reserves I keep for emergencies with the property.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

I learned that the scranton market is declining and the amount of money I have invested I will not be able to get my return on.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

This is where a lot of investors get into trouble because they look at their balance sheet and pat themselves on the back because of the "equity" they have in up markets, only to realize that it doesn't actually convert into the same amount of cash when it's time to liquidate. 

Then I asked, would you leave that amount of money on the table?

The sellers will likely be willing to do this for you since they will make the same amount of money either way. 

I agree, either get it for cheap enough where you have a good amount of reserves, or don’t buy it.

And, while I am happy to help out, no amount of my advice is going to do you any good if you don't get your crap figured out first.By crap I mean your finances, your goals, your team and your strategy for real estate investing.