Make sure to screen carefully and factor in vacancy/turnover costs in your numbers—especially if it’s a C-class neighborhood.Property Condition: Older duplexes in that area can sometimes come with deferred maintenance.

And in your case, my suggestion is that you focus on another route: find a nice home that could rent easily (and rents cover expenses), buy it and move in with your wife.

I go through a lot to pre screen my tenants and have been very fortunate so far. 

I'd leverage an online site for rent collection, deposits, tenant screening, etc.

I'm currently interviewing/screening PMs for my portfolio in the Cleveland Area.

If it was that long ago, and there is nothing else wrong with application then can move forward if you've done all the rest of your screening process. 

If you want to stay in real estate long-term, you can always re‑enter the market later when you’re in a stronger financial position and have reserves set aside for these situations.If you do choose to keep it, just make sure you have a plan for tenant screening, setting aside reserves, and building up a buffer so you’re not breaking even or going negative with every hiccup.

For tenant applications and background checks, Turbo Tenant or Avail both offer comprehensive tools—including credit reports, eviction history, and criminal background checks—at no cost to the landlord (the applicant pays the screening fee).

Three, you emphatically have to know how to screen.

The goal is to have the VA pre-screen properties and input key details into the spreadsheet so I can easily sift through and cherry-pick the ones that fit my buy box.