Which equates to heirship issues, leins from the city for keeping the grass cut, interest in those leins depending on how old they are, and a host of other potential hiccups. 

Like I said, it's our side hustle (we both have full time professional jobs and a houseful of kids), but we do the management ourselves. 

. $500 ea. in profit after loan pmt , taxes & Insurance and a small amount for maintenance fund are taken out.  

If you are a serious buyer, and a top-tier agent will do whatever they can to make it happen for you. 

I also found it hard to invest in NYC and as a result an out of state investor.

I live in Auburn Alabama and the market here is pretty crazy so I have been looking at surrounding cities like Montgomery and Birmingham that are bigger and more affordable.I know that the typical down payment someone’s needs for commercial is 25% so short of me getting seller financing, or a partner, or some other creative finance path my purchase power leads me towards properties that are typically in lower income areas- at least for the ones I’ve spotted. (200K ish) I’ve listened to pretty much every podcast multiple times and often hear people saying that when they begin they focus more on cash flow and as they grow they look more towards appreciation opportunities.

Currently have 3 vacancies and a duplex to be fully remodeled, which I will start next month.

I'm surprised they have any vacancy at all - in the other markets where I have these kinds of properties, we have 100% occupancy and a unit stays vacant for at MOST 2 months. 

There were other concerning items like a hardwired smoke alarm taken down, the new fridge handle that I had purchased ($60) was not on the fridge, and there was fallen paint and a large water stain on the kitchen ceiling (2 baths and wash/dryer above that area).

Unfortunately the bank loan market has become really tough, with the banks tightening restrictions, imposing difficult metrics to deal with and applying commercial rates and fees to my property.I've been able to get a basic commercial loan offer, not what I wanted, but what I could get.  1m loan, 5% fixed rate, 5 year term, 1.25% fees and legal up front, and a lot of paperwork and hurdles to overcome yet to ensure I actually get the loan approved.