Investing in "undesirable" areas is never wise... regardless of price.

Most of these homes are narrow and make for very small rooms and are undesirable.

Most of the homes are in very undesirable areas as well... so even renovating the homes may not make up for the equity problem as there isn't enough value add opportunity.Homes that are in fair areas (C or C-) may be able to break even with a rehab as we had one that was close.

I've shaken a few undesirables out of the tree that way before I made a mistake with accepting them. 

Now you have the visceral experience of signing your name on the bottom line and being responsible for this large asset.You also had your first experience with an undesirable tenant. 

If flying over is not an option for you,, I think you have no choice but to wait the 6 months out and get yourself ready with all the peripherals - solidify your plan of action and market,  reach out to potential partners and suppliers, research financing options, insurance, management etc etc- so when you do finally get there- you can hit the ground running.The other option that I am now  getting more involved in slowly - is online  crowdfunding - A lot less hands on- but far more doable long distance.All the best

It may be peripheral to them.

Chasing yield will lead you to undesirable areas, where you're not ready to deal with the issues. 

Since we're buying as a partnership, having some kind of personal guarantee is complicated and undesirable. 

I was able to ralley the owners and get them to agree to assessments for rehabing the complex and squeezing out the very undesirable tenants and owners