@Nick Diecidue Your budget is way, way too low. 

I am currently employed as a ticket broker, so I have consistent income to pay a monthly mortgage payment as well as the down payment.

I have purchased a couple of properties and am running low on cash.

That means looking into the median income, school system, linkages(proximity to employment, shopping, churches, etc). 

On to plan "B".As a thought, if your stoop is the size and location you want, but just in bad shape, perhaps having a contractor skim coat it is a low cost solution.

How are they employed without one?

My mentality has always been, rent low enough where you don’t lose too much but have the tenants long term. 2) how do I approach offering a price increase?

I too thought about whether he's hiding something but I spoke to the current property manager and he says it's always been a MF property so the chance of underground tanks or soil contamination is quite low, isn't it? 

I do use debt, but with relatively low leverage.

Usually, the only difference is that there credit score is too low and they dont have the full down payment.