This isn't even close to a comprehensive list, but the point is that you need to learn the pitfalls of each building based on the year it was built and do the due diligence so you don't buy a lemon. 

-Real Estate is a Contact Sport...you can have a successful real estate career based on the number of people you know and keeping in touch with them on a regular basis throughout the year. 2) Can you "keep your day job" while you get started?

They reached out to me weekly for the first couple of years with issues based on their incompetence (I was happy to help, to a point, but it got old), and the purchasing company lost close to all the doors in the first 5 years due to poor service, poor systems, and not really understanding how to add value to the client.  

What I would do is have something in writing as part of the offer that my bid is based on the systems in working order (or some estimated life span left)We will spend $30k to inspect them all and if any are deemed required to be replaced we will credit X at closing.

The exact rate can vary based on the lender, the borrower's creditworthiness, and the specific property. 

States have different requirements for licensing (and the TYPE of license) based on whether you will be earning a salary or commission.

My primary focus for this investment is on long-term appreciation potential and leveraging rental income to pay down the mortgage, in this case I have no cashflow.Given the current market conditions, I understand that cash flow might not be immediate, but I'm more interested in the potential for appreciation over time and the ability to offset expenses through rental income.

I chuckle these days when I have friends mention a Canadian "ghetto".The barrier to entry (housing prices) would be the biggest factor in my opinion and therefore you'd need significantly greater capital to get started compared to the US.I had done some personal research in the past regarding investing in the US as a Canadian and you could do it from both ends:Canadian using a Canadian bank to finance a US property (think retirees buying places in FL or AZCanadian using a Canadian based bank that now has a foothold in the US (ie, TD, RBC, even Scotia)Canadian using a US bank to qualify for a property - clearly more work and have to talk to the right places.I won't get into my opinions of the housing market back in Canada in general, but opportunities will present themselves at all times...I just think you'll spend a lot more time and energy having to pursue it and garner a significant amount of capital to get started.

This is the base of your pyramid.

Decked out backyard and ability to sleep large groups.