If this isnt a scam and your client is actually having trouble sounds to me the money he is trying to move isnt legit.

I would think he would try to get him out of his hair by actually trying to sell the houses to me if anything.

Since so many deals are in these areas, it may appear that I pass on a lot of deals, when in reality I'm just not interested in the hood rentals.

(I get it - I've done this multiple times myself, but you need a friend in the business to write up the bid because they are doing you a favor with no return)If you're able to keep these things in mind when talking to one, you might be able to mitigate some of these obstacles and actually get one out there.

We need facts, circumstances, and either actual or projected numbers.... 

So I’ve lived in Bergen County not too long ago, months ago actually.

I actually laughed out loud at this; one of my favorite quotes on BP to date. 

I actually have Rich Dad Poor Dad being delivered tomorrow!

Would I just need to get the houses at a much lower price than asking for it to actually work?

Since your previous tenant had already pre-paid the final month's rent (November) in full, you'd actually owe him a partial refund for the pro-rated month of November because you ended up finding another paying tenant for part of that month (the 15th-30th).