Sounds like a great deal, and you managed to turn around an undesirable property. 

You will also find that estate sales are the product of foreclosures, divorces, and other undesirable events that may take place.

-I'll have to screen out all the scammers and undesirable candidates (plan to avoid craigslist)-I'll have to show properties-candidates using a Realtor won't be able to contact me since I'm not a Realtor and don't want to be.

Unlike John I do have undesired instant bookings though that I cancel.

Things like carpet that wear out and need cleaning between renters are undesirable.

Also, zoom out far enough to make sure the home doesn't back up to something "undesirable." 

So basically I overpaid, the market tanked AND mostly, I bought in an undesirable neighborhood that I was afraid to go to...although it looked excellent on paper, it was a nightmare with  the tenants I had, evictions, trashing my houses, etc...every time I was on vacation, there would be drama. 

The price to build shouldn’t change, so I personally would prefer to not build in an undesirable neighborhood. 

Many properties were overpriced, in poorly performing neighborhoods, or had very undesirable characteristics impacting the deal.

Here are some common mistakes made when investing in real estate:Not researching the market: Not researching the real estate market and local economic conditions before investing can lead to poor investment decisions.Overpaying for a property: Overpaying for a property can negatively impact the potential for rental income or appreciation and lead to a loss.Underestimating expenses: Failing to budget accurately for property management, maintenance, and repairs can quickly eat into any profits.Ignoring Location: Location is a crucial factor in real estate investment, and properties in undesirable locations are unlikely to appreciate or generate high rental income.Not thoroughly evaluating properties: Not thoroughly evaluating properties before purchasing, such as neglecting to have a property inspection or ignoring structural or repair issues, can lead to costly surprises down the road.Neglecting to diversify: Relying too heavily on a single property or market can be risky and lead to significant losses if that market experiences a downturn.Not considering tax implications: Failing to consider the tax implications of real estate investment, such as depreciation and property tax deductions, can result in missed opportunities for savings.Not having a clear exit strategy: Not having a clear exit strategy for when you want to sell the property or dispose of your investment can lead to missed opportunities for profit.It's essential to be aware of these common mistakes and consider all factors before making any real estate investment decisions.