They don’t have washer and dryers (or hookups), our property does, we also have a small front area with grass the tenants can let their kids play in, etc.

I feel like this may play a factor in how willing the county is to just get the property "off their books."

Investment properties are fun, and lucrative if you treat them like a business.

While this year has been fun, we are trying to build towards a true long term investment strategy, and continue to grow.Where we live (Upstate/Western NY) real estate reliably slows down when the weather turns cold and the snow piles build.

I don't back on appreciation plays, but would never buy where I know there won't be any appreciation, unless that cash flow was just amazing.

We heard countless stories of investors who were tired of working long hours at W2 jobs and did not have much time for family fun with their kids.

I suspect there IS a tax play to be made with mal-investments, but I think there are multiple reasons it happens. 

I certaibly had fun with it, haha.

Furthermore, I currently own a rental property that in the case things start becoming bad in the near future and I have to sell it, I would have more buffer to play on pricing as I would not need to pay commissions to a selling broker. 

Won't play by the rules of common decency you say?