Its like a funnel: you study everything that is for sale, do drive by's on the best, schedule showings on a few and make an offer if there is one left that makes sense. 

You can drive down holding/carrying costs, sure, but they must be included. 

Instead of studying just what's on the market, try driving around communities that fit your model and look for properties that are not currently listed for sale.

We have had one of the tenants for some time and while she drives us crazy, when corrected she does make an effort to follow the rules of the house. 

It's now listed again...damnAnother one, been driving by a "for sale by owner", wanted to contact them to see if they would consider a seller finance.   

He apparently can't afford to retire until 70+ so somewhere he lost himself in the theory & abandoned the drive to achieve one of the most important goals we all have.

You should at least try to drive by and peek into it if you can (if vacant anyway). 

810 S Citrus Ave Azusa, CA 9170222 Units18,084 sqft / 0.63 acres LotPurchase Price is $6.6M + 2% Finder's Fee OM & FINANCIALS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e_Z_nZrv7oc-9oGWXlzwouoLEUqPuq9H?

Found from family that drive by and keep on place for us since we live in FL and house in ohio..They noticed 2 things, cat house in window and cats in windows...which my policy and lease state no pets.

Time spent driving is wasted time and time is money.