I apply their security deposit first ($1,500) and then charge them for the remaining $2,500 owed.

They typically apply to 1-2-4 unit properties and need at least one year of occupancy.

I consider myself an expert in one specific market - the one I invest in - reasonably knowledgeable in a few others, mostly ones that neighbor my market and/or I lived there and have some pertinent information to share that's generally right - and beyond that it's just applying general platitudes to every other market which may or may not be relevant.

Here's some hopefully, helpful cut & paste info:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

Let's assume there is no CO obtained immediately after the sale (will do later after repairs are done), and no township or local-level inspections requested.Is the township automatically notified by the county of the sale or is there some mechanism by which they would learn about the sale and update their records, other than by the buyer telling them about it, or applying for a CO? 

I understand home designs are pretty expensive, and cannot just be applied to any lot/existing neighborhood.

Some areas as better/worse than others, but that applies to everywhere.

@James KieferRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

These same principles should be applied to anywhere you choose to invest.

Should contractors and painters know what they are doing?