His conclusion is that housing providers in those cities make enough money. 

Ideally, if there's an investor in the Augusta, GA area I'd LOVE to shadow you or even do some rehab labor for you on weekends so I can get my hands dirty and see how the wheels really turn.Aside from that, if anyone has any general tips for making connections with local real estate investors or things I should be reading about, I'd love to learn from you!

I wouldn't want to buy in a high crime rate, especially violent crime, area, but what percent is worth my time and money?

Coverage can vary dramatically even within the same insurance company.  

I don't have large money to pay off the that lien.

In my experience as a realtor, I haven't had a problem yet even though this has been circulating in the news for several months already.

Plus the tenants have almost paid off my mortgage and as house prices went up, there is even more equity in the home. 

Tax Accountants would simplify it even more.

If you are paying more than 7% on your loan you are losing money on a 7% cap rate transaction.I think you should look at this a little different.1.

Would you lose a large chunk of money?