One thing to note, at least in my area, the section 8 voucher amount is ALL UTILITIES (and standard kitchen appliances) INCLUDED.

But if it’s your first out-of-state deal, you might want the control of picking your own tenant and setting things up your way from the start.Bottom line: inherited tenants can either be a shortcut or a headache — depends on who you’re inheriting.

Utility providers have payment plans. 

I usually get a couple ideas and try and pick one to do that year.

Picked up at tax sale.

Building costs swing wildly depending on where you are and how custom the build is, but here’s a quick reality check from what I’ve seen lately:Basic spec or builder-grade new construction: around $225–$275 per square foot.Mid-range custom or semi-custom: more like $300–$375 per foot.High-end custom homes (especially with slope, trees, or tight access) can hit $400–$500+ per foot real fast.A lot of folks forget how much the site adds — clearing, grading, utilities, septic, driveway… those things alone can tack on $50–$100k before you even pour a slab.As for permitting, brace yourself.

The most logical approach is to pick the Neighborhood(s) that meet your BuyBox (Class A, B, C or D) and then look for properties, having someone knowledgeable about Detroit verify the properties you've selected are on good blocks.

It is as easy to pick out as a wrotten apple in a basket.

Clear Leases: Establish clear lease agreements for each renter and a fair system for sharing utility costs.

You may be able to utilize the short term rental loophole, so you’ll want to make sure your cpa is well versed in this and guide you so you avoid the pitfalls.As for local vs national, I’d recommend looking nationally as you’ll have more qualified people.