I am contemplating getting rid of the $200 per month as well as the yard is tiny and the only cleaning is the small common area and two single bathrooms.  

Common lighting, trash, water, heat, how is that all handled?

That is usually 'substandard' and is the more common term in the escalation of problem property hierarchy.

I love your RE goals we should connect 

Although I would say 30% is not common you can definitely come by those properties.  

IE the loan proceeds are in escrow and are collected funds.this is a very very common scheme all over the US.... sucker rates to sucker people into send smaller money and then wa la they are long gone.. and your ticked off that you fell for it.Use a local HML and see what rates they charge ..

Our short term goal is to do a live in flip, move, rent, and repeat. 

I realize, they say it is important to have a goal, but I personally think that your goal shall be to get your first deal done.

My goal is to do my first flip within the next year, and I plan to continue flipping and buying multifamilies going forward from there.  

I chose inspection because it's just what made sense to me and my goals.