Hey @Ryan Kunzmann not sure if @Stephen Kunen made a typo or is referring to something else but here is the link to the meet-up we are doing tomorrow (Thursday) night: Lehigh Valley Investors Market Discussion Hope you all can join! 

Also, if you have a 2-4 unit building for 300k here then it probably needs a $1000000 worth of work or there is some else drastically wrong, even if you are in the worst parts of the outer boroughs.

Anyways, money first, everything else second.

or should I work with the tenants and do land contracts to sell them the properties at a higher interest rate and higher asking price because I am sure none of them have enough for a decent down payment and also I am concerned that interest rates will increase and I will be stuck holding a low interest loan and my money could go somewhere else, also I do not want them back. 

A 1031 sounds intimidating- but I would be working with someone else who would hopefully know what they are doing. 

I would go even farther and get my 2 years of tax returns, check stubs, and whatever else they need to start a file on you. 

I'm not risking bringing someone else's parasites, pet dander (or worse), odors, or bodily fluids into my nice vacation rental.

The unit I am living in is a 1 BR/1 BA on the second floor of the building...the door to the attic is right outside my entrance and goes up to a big open area that USED to be 2 additional bedrooms, however, it has been vacant for years as there was a fire in the 80's.My handyman took a look and agreed that he could definitely add the 2 bedrooms, no problems...I know egress windows will be a major factor and I am also looking into the heating and electric to make sure it is linked to my unit's heater/panel.What else should I be looking/planning for?

Has anyone else gone this route and can advise on how to obtain the license?

Has anyone else ever experienced this problem?