Likely going to need to purchase in an area with good school systems, so you want to make sure you have time to do your research.

And if it shows up my immune system will eat it for dessert. 

I have recently read :Rental Property InvestingBook on Flipping HousesBook on estimating Rehab costs90 Day Journal ( good to focus on goals)Other good overall business mindset books and general personal development books are:Any Tim Ferris’s book Extreme OwnershipUnshakable (finance)Work the system Awaken the giant withinThe millionaire fast laneThe E-Myth10x ruleNext on my reading list is:David Greene’s BRRRR bookLong distance real estate investing Landlording on autopilotWhen I first started reading stuff I didn’t want to waste the time or money on books, what started as a small habit of maybe a few pages a week or so turned into about a book or 2 a month and a large library of books, definitely attribute my progress over the last few years to the books I’ve read!!

I understand Calhoun County went to a bid-down, tax lien system in 2018. 

And you don’t mention whether the heating system is forced air or a boiler with radiators.

I am approaching the end of a 12-unit renovation in Derry, New Hampshire and I am experiencing some major trouble with the steam heat system.

Their system is proven and they already have 400 properties in their portfolio in Canada. 

@Chad Demoss: besides having to secure vacant properties against theft of furnace, HWH, copper and more, you also have to deal with a low-demographic tenant pool where  "pride in home" has been dis proportionally sucked out of them by the "system".

I self manage (for now)  owner had the property for 20 years, didnt manage it well, no one is screened properly. my wife and I must occupy the property so one must go. this is a class C community. inspection shows the systems and roof of the home to be in good shape. what would you do?

The business owner should focus on higher paying per hour tasks like raising capital, finding deals, building systems, building the team, networking, etc.