Marketing you will spend alot to raise your self out obscurity, unless you have a strong network, that you can fill their mind as the go to real estate person. 

How do you plan on spending your weekends?

This is about right as there will be new meters installed, digging the meter pits, new supply lines etc.The question, do I spend the money on decreasing the expenses at the fourplex property or invest in another duplex for about $15k down which will provide about $3600/yr cash flow?

might be interesting if you posted your questions here there are a lot of NMLS mortgage originators on BP who could probably answer your questions as its a pretty vanilla subject .. and not one that would really warrant spending a lot of money on legal fee's..

The first advice thatvI can offer you is to conserve your money dont be haste to spend it.

Be it bad spending habits, low income, whatever the reason.

I agree with you 'make offers' which is how I spend my day.

Because the damages sought are "only" 1 month rent, there is no need to go spend more money hiring an attorney.

I know too many senior citizens that have to spend their savings as interest rates aren't giving them the income they used to count on and most of their longer-term, higher-rate CDs have expired.  

The one in Lakeland, FL that turned a ghetto house into $1500 cash in my pocket, the call from Kissimmee, FL that has a $10-25k flip potential, and one message asking to take their name off the list (which is better for me because I don't want to spend anymore money marketing to people who have 0% response rate anyways).Just be light and conversational to your sellers and buyersYou make your money on both ends of the deal, so negotiate the heck out of your seller's price (but be respectful and don't risk losing it) and use a realtor to give you true competitive comps on your sales price so you have supportive evidence for your price and cant get haggled too far down by your buyers, because they will try.Every cash buyer on my list wants their deals to be acquired at 70% of market value, including purchase and rehab.