Generally you are going to make more money, longer, if you use smart leverage.

Another thing to keep in mind is that skilled contractors should be spending more time on the job as John mentioned and not at Home Depot each looking for materials they should already have after doing a good assessment on the job scope.I don't necessarily suggest paying top dollar for extremely high end work in a low end area, I just don't think it is smart to go out of our way to underpay.

If I'm looking to make a move with standard financing for a buy and hold, are these types of properties smart? 

These are the ones I monitor closely and once day 3-5 rolls around BAM 14 day notice for eviction in hopes of smarting them up.

That's a smart business approach. 

How did I benefit someone like that....I worked hard, I worked smart and I worked cheap, I was reliable and honest and I was flexible on my terms.

I know that there are many restrictions, but I have to be careful and smart...

@Jared Lichtin, no offense to Texas or any other state; beauty of real estate always a great place to by somewhere just got to find it By working hard and smart. 

I am in the process of selling my single family and moving into a multi, I think it is a smart strategy.

Just the nature of small town workers not all are professionalized:  bank account, newer smart phone, have cash to wait for a check to clear etc.A contractor suggested I use green dot prepaid card to pay him.