Not sure if you are the lender or the buyer, but I've also heard/seen several buyers who have paid off the contract for deed, but can no longer find the seller to provide the release. 

Yes, absolutely it is.You're better off using specific neighborhoods over zip codes.

Be aware, you're going to burn through handymen pretty fast.

Now fully paid off, great investment.

I am aware of the Sewage issue and i am aware that in this high interest regime it won't be a cash flow property.

I have a free and clear, rented property I intend to keep for now, but want to get a loan to pay off another property's loan to 1031 it with no mortgage balance. 

@Norberto Murillo Jr, If you can stomache the current cash flow now you will be far better off rather than refinancing to a higher interest just to get a lower payment.right now those loans are paying off quickly because of the age of the loan and the amortization of it. 

A good rule of thumb I like to tell clients is that if your activities are integral and income producing, where as if you were not to do the activitiy it would result in the property's financial health being worse off, it should count in general. 

I currently lean toward upstate NY and MI (Detroit metro) as I live in the west but have family in Canada not far from those locations and the idea of being able to visit family with trips that can double as business write-offs is appealing.

Are you buying them off-market with a turnkey provider or on the MLS?