Have there been subtle approaches that worked for you?

There are likely at least subtle differences between those proposals.In terms of good and bad experiences, you won't find an insurance company that doesn't produce happy and unhappy customers.  

@Kevin Sobilo - its more subtle.

I'm about halfway through "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuc k" - it's been a decent read so far.

What I want are countertops that have a subtle slope built in 3-4" around the sink edge so that water drains naturally. 

That can be because of subtle differences with the rental itself.

I think that line was a subtle shot against a lot of the competition who were founded by software folks or small scale real estate investors. 

If you don’t like to read, listen or educate yourself than unfortunately you will likely not find much success (although I am sure there are those out there that have succeeded without).Rich Dad Poor Dad, Millionaire Real Estate Investor, Multi- Family Millions (Dave Lindahl), ABC’s of Real Estate Investing, The Book on Rental Property Investing, Hold, The Advanced Guide to Real Estate Investing, The Due Diligence Handbook for Commercial Real Estate, Millionaire Real Estate Agent, The Book on Managing Rental Properties (Brandon Turner), The Emyth RevistitedCrushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate, Emerging Real Estate Markets ,The ABC’s of Property Management, Wheelbarrow Profits, The One Thing, Outliers, Start with Why, David and Goliath, Chasing Excellence, Extreme Ownership, The Compound Effect, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, Be Obsessed or Be Average, The 10x Rule, The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, Am I Being Too Subtle, 48 Laws of Power, Atlas Shrugged, Man’s Search For Meaning, Sapiens, Tools of Titans, Four Hour Work Week.Step 2 (financing): To get a better idea of what I was capable of purchasing, I met with four different lenders and began a relationship to acquire funding.

I think I am learning that I probably should have said rent-ready and not turnkey, but I think you have answered the subtle question I was asking which is, is it possibly worthwhile to invest in properties that give you only one type of revenue (paying down the mortgage) and maybe don’t give back the cash immediately for the next investment?  

Life has been pretty subtle for me.