Do you pay any landlord utilities for the units?

If you have 10 properties and get a vacancy or need repairs you can weather the storm from the income of the other properties.Unfortunately MN is not landlord friendly so no way am I investing in the MN market.  

The first time, I was only going to be out the security deposit for a "couple weeks", until they got the previous one back from their previous landlord. 

You might find that kind of service with a bigger firm for which you'll pay accordingly ($$$$+ annually).You need to learn yourself or pony up the money - here are some books to get you started on this:for accounting and taxes - Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide 15th Edition (and you can supplement that with Deduct It!

They also switched off electric in the middle of October (the only other bill they were required to keep under their name) to landlords name.

Motivated sellers can be tired landlords, people who had nightmare tenants who trashed their property and just want someone to take it off their hands.

Hello Experience Landlords,Happy New Year ...I have been struggle with this question for a while now, and I am struggle to find a reasonable solution. 

A friend of ours is the landlord on the house and moved out of state.

Low prices and flood zones sounds like seller-financing may be a fit.Target tired landlords off-market vs Jack and Jill homeowners on the MLS.  

I am an out-of-state landlord with two properties in East Lake.