Plus it will lessen your competition as most people run away from rough properties....

See the table below which compares what is on an MLS data sheet and what an investor needs to evaluate a property.Below is a high-level summary of the tasks an investor needs to accomplish.

RENT HIGH in newly refurbished in and out. 

These are investment promoters and the investments they market are highly speculative, difficult to evaluate and there is a high likelihood that you could lose your entire investment.

I learned that there are great opportunities to purchase low maintenance, fully remodeled homes in places where there are high quality management teams in place that can produce nearly passive income.

I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE EXPERIENCED HIGH QUALITY ADVICE. 

Can you opt for high deductible?

Everything is highly individualistic and there isn’t a “right or wrong”, but what works best for you and your situation. 1) what is your ultimate goal for your ideal investment property?

Good cash flow, but high turnover, crime, and bad schools makes it a high risk.

High level...the average commission rate is going down, the quantity of brokers (and brokerages) are going to be reduced.