Some quick-fix upgrades that might help include:[list]Offer free Internet acces (e.g. if you're near college; $50/mo)Install in-unit laundry ($600 appliances + $500-$1,000 install)Offer free gym memberships (Planet Fitness is $10/mo)[/list:u]Each of these likely costs less than another month's vacancy and might bring your units up to speed, or ahead of the pack.

If you you buy with no money down and you break even after monthly expenses then you're still ahead of the game because you have appreciation, mortgage paydown, and you're 1 rent increase away from positive cash flow.

Being a business owner and having some cash will put you light years ahead of other new investors.

You are already thinking ahead about the property after this.

update:I went ahead and paid for a title commitment.

Go ahead and get a connection in your name and pay the bills so that they build credibility to your name.

For few hundred clicks I got maybe few real visitors and no leads.

So if you're serious about REI and you want to get ahead in life then under no circumstances are you to buy a condo that you plan to live in using all cash.

It's unconventional thinking that will get you ahead often times much faster than thinking things can only be done one way.

We have a duplex which we bought at a very good price and even with repairs, we're ahead.