However, it is a C, C- neighborhood, with and unusually low rent roll (and, as I investigate Craigslist, Zillow, and apartments.com, the competition seems to have rents that aren't much higher).

Rentals aren't like selling where you want everything as close to perfect to fetch top dollar.

or "aren't you worried about the higher price?"

At these prices, you aren't going to worry about losing money because you bought at such a low cost.

With all due respect, those expectations aren't really applicable to this market.

Because the comparable aren't nearly as updated as mines. 

If people aren't willing to ask for what they want, then I question how serious they are about selling the place.

There aren't going to be huge profit margins so I would like to avoid those "unnecessary drains on profit" that you mentioned.The info you provided is very helpful.

Yep, Wayne got it right, HOA lien doesn't get wiped out, and they can come in without a lien and ask for money, and you have to be careful cause some of them add a ton of fees in when they aren't supposed to also. checkout Florida "super lien" statues

We aren't committed to switching CPAs at this point, but the thought keeps coming back to us of wishing we had a little more so we've decided to see what other options there are.As far a local or non-local, I don't care about their physical presence as long as they are able to handle the state and local taxes.Our ideal CPA would be more like a business adviser rather than just a tax preparer.