About 350 miles away I found a store that had a lot of them, so I got online and ordered 50 squares plus roof wrap, ice gard, plastic cap nails, roofing nails, etc. 

It was funny, looking at one headed for auction the other day, I found an "unlocked door" and there was the plastic band across the toilet lid imprinted with "winterized".

She had also gotten sick, had severe back pain and needed surgery.

There is much to this business but it is not brain surgery.

I want to simplify my life.It needs a lot of work and I don't have time/energy for it.I'm getting old.I don't want to sell to someone who will kick out my tenants.I can't afford my mortgage any longer.I got a job transfer.I want to be near my kids/grand kids.The list goes on and on, but I've never once heard "I need $100K to get heart surgery/kidney replacement/triple bypass or I'm going to die!!!"

Most people will bring paper/plastic and a cooler I would think.

Its a good space that is booming a little bit about Cleveland:Did you know:CLE - home to the 2016 Republican National ConventionCLE - Superman was created hereCLE - Cleveland Clinic #1 Heart Surgery Center in the WorldCLE - Over a dizen Fortune 500 CompaniesCLE - Second largest theatre district in the CountryCLE - Epicenter for BioMed Research & DevelopmentCLE - A great place for the WHOLE family/CLE - A great place for investing come check out the beautiful things CLE has.Anyhow, I think we need to get back to the core of the question: As a new investor looking / considering investing outside of your local hyper area you will want to define someone who is not just going to help you buy, renovate and then you will figure out how to manage, you want someone who can allow you to have passive income without giving up your full time occupation.

I am thinking about doing a blog about them.What I did do to get prospective seller's attend is to send an antique Indian Head Nickel, that I put in a little plastic pack with my message and name in it.

Heck it's a GREAT business model-- sitting all day long in a stream of rental cash that is generated from the cash fountains in the pockets of investors who are obligated to cover every hiccup at a property with major surgery.  

We also hold broker's opens which I highly recommend.Downsides to open houses:  You need to make sure that you have your carpet protected (put down the sticky plastic).