Stay away from occupied properties since you can't get rid occupant for at least 90 days before start eviction process ( new law ) I'm going thru this right now and it is very very frustrating.

I am starting out my journey in real estate investing.

Currently you can find 1000sqft apartments in decent neighborhoods starting at $45k and homes starting at $60k , this is info i found online Bolivia is one of those places where people are still old school and you find the best deals by word of mouth.

In reality it may lead you to some kind of shell company with no contact info or 'friend of a friend with a license', but it's at least a good place to start

the condo HOAs are responsible for it not you as an individual. the newer the development the better. a lot of the older associations are worse and are having to do special assessments and pushing condo fees way up.

Yes, I did two live in flips when I got started. 

Do you all start to see how most of you simply do not use that head of yours?

If you don't know where to start, talk with rent-to-retirement, they have good deals in Florida.

I’d like to start charging for applications, and screening myself, any suggestions of best way to do that?

Some start with an offer then change it after you call them.