I'm fairly new in the industry as well, and most of the sources I've checked at first require a subscription (CoStar, WSJ), but I found this newsletter called Zeroflux Real Estate who consolidate real estate news from such sites.

No offense, but hire a PMC because:1) You hate the process of placing tenants.2) You didn't do a very good job of screening the current ones.Sometimes we have to get out of our own way to find success!

Definitely will bring more jobs and with that the workers' families.

For example the license should not only have a cost but also require at least some compliance training targeting some of the most common issues/complaints.

You would arguably be better off buying a CD at a slightly lower yield with almost no risk, time, or stress requirements. 

The standard rule is $250k per person who legally owns/occupies for the 2/5 year requirement. 

Unfortunately NY requires a RE license to wholesale in the state.

Apparently offering them to leave early without requiring rent, they decided a few hour notice is a good idea haha. 

My goal is to diversify with an investment that generates steady cash flow, even if it requires a larger upfront investment and lower overall returns. 

If the back of the sofa isn't comfortable, they might be able to work on that, but it will require taking the whole thing into the shop unless it has removable cushions there too.