I'd also welcome any alternative views to challenge my current thinking!

If not, go to filter 2.Is this person trying to push a particular view because they are trying to sell something? 

Odd floorplan, bad view etc-comps -condition of unit-quality of tenant I've let a lot slide if the tenant is great or the unit is compromised in some ways.

I want to be as close to Manhattan as possible and those are the neighborhoods I am currently viewing properties at.

(Hard to type this out, but you can view it on a youtube pattern)  You may need to go Cross and diagonal if things are in really bad shape.  

Then renewal fees every year can be a burden but again at this point in one's REI career, the cost is outweighed by the opportunity.For a simple breakdown, here are the pros and consPros: MLS access, not reliant on someone else to see the MLS or to literally go view the property, ability to make money off of it, list your own deals..Cons: Fees (annual and upfront), continuing education of laws and regulation (i.e. time not spent on finding deals), always legally disclosing you're licensed, dealing with brokers taking a %Now, these aren't all the pros and cons but certainly some popular ones.

Have you viewed these recently?

Make sure to view the Bigger Pockets book store: https://www.biggerpockets.com/store

It doesn't matter if you are a marketing wiz that finds a way to get hundreds of calls in on your rental listings if you don't pick up the phone when they call, politely answer their questions and get them one step closer to viewing the property and signing the lease it all is worthless.

Is there anyone in this forum from Columbus Ohio and can refer me to a good real estate investor friendly title company, real estate attorney who understands an investors point of view, inspectors that are licensed, and licensed general contractors.