If I were you, I wold personally visit the top 3 and get a feel for the area, and then make a gut decision after spending a weekend in each as to what feels best to you.

-Spending unauthorized amounts on repairs- most investors want to know before PM drops a grand on a repair.That's all I can think of right off.

Better to off load the property than waste spending good money after bad.

Well I guess IM not a smart guy either just a country guy who rather work in the garden then spend the day in the office.Alex

If you can spend some time browsing MLS to get a feel for product types and pricing, make sure to do separate searches in Residential and Commercial, since smaller multi-residential ends up on both sides of the fence.

At some point you have to take what you are learning and gamble.

Is it time for a reputable mold assessor with years of experience to spend a few hours in one or two of the properties?

You can do everything if you have the cash to spend.

I am very cautious about spending my savings so I will read as much as I can for sure

You'll save a penny and spend a dollar, in the long run.