In Cincinnati, I cannot think of any brand new, ground up apartment developments under about 100 units. 

I would never sell this property due to family history but might consider doing a commercial ground lease for a condominium or town home community. 

You want boots on the ground, ideally your own if you are investing in an area. 

The "smaller" properties are only the ground floor footage and the "larger" ones include the basement. 

Also, unless it is a rare unicorn tenant who is super fastidious, any yard will soon look like a dumping ground for poo.

The other cities just seemed saturated with investors and it was hard to find reliable boots on ground.

@Sean Snider look for cracks in the foundation, ground level ness to the house can signal shifting, bowing of basement walls, buckling siding. 

If you can find the place where everything starts, then you present the history of overcharges and unwarranted penalties and demand they straighten it out.The only other things you can do are what you have already spoken about - come to NYC or hire someone on the ground to sort it out for you by physically going to the management company. 

it is not the same as smelling a fresh ground cup of joe that is served at the local coffee shop.

Be careful on your location and have boots on the ground.