But as it gets more and more difficult to get service people (who know what their doing) older(percieved higher maintenance) buildings are going to be taxed in the market with lower values until the demand for trades people is satisfied

Really investing requires you to learn how to study the technicals in order to determine the financial health of a company and make an informed decision about whether or not to put your capital at risk there.

Even within the topic of 'investing in the stock market' you will find a range of sub-segments, like day-trading, swing-trading, or low-involvement long-term investing. 

@Bob ManningWelcome to BP, and congratulations on making the decision to invest in your future via real estate.I have written a few blog posts that may help you get started here on BP, and with your investing.

Otherwise a new build would qualify.Another thing to keep in mind is that the investment must rise to the level of a "trade or business" Buying a principal residence (even if it is a new build)  would not be considered a trade or business and thus would not qualify (unless further guidance is issued)@Melissa Gittens here is an overview of QOZ's:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/586...

Often there are many people involved, siblings in other states or a child or spouse they want to consult with before making a decision.

Somehow they passed the inspections on both and then after the tenant moved in, I had to pay my other plumber to fix a bunch of stuff.But plumbing is the hardest trade to get right now - by far. 

Emotions can cloud the decision making process.

But like @Mike M. said, if you have a seller who is truly incapable of making decisions for himself, you'll need physicians to certify this in a petition for guardianship plus you'll need a fiduciary appointed to handle those decisions for him... in his best interest. 

That is a decision maker for why tenants chose one property over another.