One of the reasons I decided to make direct RE investments was to provide a hedge for volatility in our portfolio.

I am trying to decide whether or not I should go through a traditional bank (JPM), a morgage broker, or try and find a credit union.

So, I decided to drive a nearby neighborhood close to my residence, recently and document addresses of seemingly vacant distressed properties.

What formula or criteria do you use to decide whether to flip or to hold?

never know what you will see.If you decide to participate, reply on this thread with your experience. 

Quote from @Dongzi Wu: I heard Chimene's personal bankruptcy has been denied, the receiver Charlie will have a meeting with victims early September, make sure you contacted Charlie and he will notify you about the meeting.Do you know if true I thought next meeting to decide that was Sept 6 

If your other tenants find out about it, they may feel unsafe and decide to leave and you would have to let them based on current law.As with all renters, you have to identify your risk and then mitigate it.

Quote from @William Vreeland: I'm planning to BRRRR single-family homes, but I can't decide between Knoxville and Indianapolis.

The distributor later decided to consolidate warehouses and signed a long term 3N lease for the whole property.  

Check with the housing office on base.If the property is negative cash flow, then you need to decide if that still makes sense.