Yeah I'm not sure how hands on you guys are but it really depends on your current financial situation and how passive an investment you guys want.I just think it's a lot easier to get burned out of state too--taken advantage by property managers, bogus lawsuits, ie replacing a roof--do you know the cost?

Everyone says if you are highly leveraged and there is a market crash then watch out your going to get burned.

I've had people try to burn me, using my posts here as 'evidence', to the point that the news has interviewed me for a report.

Wow,  I looked at Akron houses in that price range and they actually aren't too horrible,   For that kind of money here about all you can get is a burned out shell.

For me, I'm letting the pro do it so that a) I don't burn up a week of my time and b) the finished product looks top notch and not DIY.  

Also, they do have a lifespan and will burn out eventually.

Has anyone gotten burned by the city requiring de-conversion of an illegal unit? 

The screws I have which are rated for use with these metal brackets have fat bolt heads on them.

If you have a few weeks to burn and wait a HELOC would be best because the interest rates would be the cheapest.

@David Rutledge Deferred maintenance could be as simple as ripped window screen, cracked plate covered for electrical outlets, small burns on counter tops from hot pans, sealing a small leaking pipe with duct tape, not touching-up the paint, trimming trees that overhang roofs, etc. up to maybe a little bit of bowing in the floor because some water was there at some point.