Start small, learn tenant management, and don't wait for the perfect market.Good luck!

Is it better to wait for a tenant that is more on time with payments and leave the place vacant for now or accept whoever applies? 

Because they have 3 children, I waited, and have now finally filed for eviction.

Those are the ones you should reach out to and build relationships with.Do these things and you won't have to wait around for people to contact you.

I made offers of several properties, waited and monitored the countdown for the live auction to begin which never actually happened. 

I also found somewhere to relocate my family, the seller has taken the property off market and agreed to wait for cash until I receive the funds from the sale, with a post possession 5 days out from closing.

I really want to jump on something within the next year or two because I know the longer I wait the less my portfolio can grow and the longer it will take to reach that financial freedom and being able to take control of my time to be able to do the things I really want to do. 

If you're unsure when you'll be moving, a ski-lease or mid-term lease might be an option.Truckee (City) has regulations on short-term rentals and a waiting list for permits.

This way he could move the property quicker and not have to wait.

At the end of the day everyone just wants a safe place to be able to lay their heads each night.