Be smart and pull permits too, it goes along way on the resale side

Personally, I'd like to have a nicer complex and increase rents by $100... but will that be financially smart?

They're very smart, and learn fast.

I am looking for replies from anyone who is buying in those areas in the hopes that they can explain why they are and also from anyone who purchased in the past in those areas to see how they made out.Unlike many people who are buying in those areas, I flew to Ohio, Detroit and the Pittsburgh area on different occasions and did my due diligence, Then I hid my money and credit cards in my sock and drove my rental car as fast as the law would allow back to the airport.Maybe, I missed something, maybe I am not as smart as I think I am, so as of today, wholesalers have been selling property in those areas for about 5 years and I am hoping to hear from people who either did buy to find out how they are doing or people who are thinking about buying to find out why on earth they are even considering it.

A little bit more about me, I'm a television executive and cello player, single mom of 1 year old baby twins.

2 Good companies for collecting payments are Cozy and Smart Move they also do tenant screening.  

They're in the television industry, and in the television industry it helps to be portable, he said. 

HML are hard - too hard for me -  When you get a great deal and you really want to hold the property - maybe a short term HML is the way to go  until you can get some "soft money".If you intend to flip the property - do not buy it..... instead  CONTROL IT with a skinny contract of sale - with all the necessary clauses in it that will benefit you and the seller.Make sure you have lots of time - use "banking days", study periods and delayed settlement terms.I think it is unproductive to use a HML for short term flips -Once you get a property under contract - start immediately to find your end user - your assignee the smart investors who can understand a bargain when one is presented. 

Talk to a smart realtor who knows the area, and do your homework.

We are retaining smart/talented people that would have left for the Bay Area or LA ten years ago.