I dedicated my life to learning RE for 7 months and developed the confidence to actively make offers and begin building my portfolio. 5 months later I closed on my first property and had my routine down so well, I was confident enough to buy 3 more shortly after.It is all about what you put into it...just like any other venture in life.Best of luck!

Owners do have a responsibility to properly maintain their properties, which should include routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and periodic replacements.

However, speaking to your situation, just about any mortgage broker should be able to originate a small balance commercial loan like that for you since Ohio is not very strict on out of state bankers/brokers/lenders and this would not be a Fannie/Freddie product. 

Actually...my general rule of thumb is that I wont buy anything with an HOA, or at least an HOA with a boat load of strict rules. 

The license training is pretty routine stuff.

I am a realtor in Orlando and have been in business for 22 years and work strictly by referral only.

Usually I give them 1 to 2 weeks and stick strictly to that date.  

Meaning, the market supports it; all you need to do is successfully deal with crazy rent controlled tenants, strict planning/building codes, archaic condo conversions, city politicians that cater to tenants and hate developers and investors, etc., etc. ;~)  It's like hunting for elephants here- every deal is long, complicated and arduous.

I do not see anything in the tenant ordinance that says they have choice when it comes to  routine inspection. 

I suspect this is partially due to Chicago's strict laws regarding security deposits.Fellow landlords, where do you fall on this issue (especially you Chicagoans)?