Looking at the situation from a pure investment/profitability standpoint, it wouldn't make sense to incur all those extra costs if I could avoid it somehow.

The reason I don't is purely selfish: since my husband is an agent, we can use the referral system to officially refer a potential buyer/seller (if they want) directly to the agent who we use for our deals. 

@Tarik Turner no fixes yet, maybe later. for this, pure cash flow 

Maybe something that doesn't quite make sense for a pure investor but since I will be living in it for a while it makes sense for me. 

If they have cash in the bank, then could seek out additional properties, however I would not expect a thriving flipping business during time of economic stress.The paragraph above is purely hypothetical based on what I would have done.

I closed on my first pure rental property, a two-family home, back in June and unexpectedly had both tenants move out by the end of July.

Other than needing a new roof and deck, this house renovation was purely cosmetic.

After 10 years I project the property to have a pure cash flow of approximately $300. 

This was a risk tolerance decision, versus a purely Profit/Cash outlook. 

And during that time I also get tax benefits, which you don't get as a pure renter.