I have a confession: my only duplex, which I gave owned now for 2 years and recently moved out of from a house hack, has proven to cost me more to maintain/pay taxes/repair/fix etc to the point where my cash flow is close to zero.

This protects against potential claims and liabilities specific to the rental.For tax purposes, maintain clear records of rental-related income and expenses, allowing deductions for insurance, utilities, maintenance, and depreciation proportionate to the rental unit.

Have you ever had to maintain a property?

"I'm at the point where I've gotten out THE lease and it doesn't have anything about locksmith, however the maintenance, repairs section states, " All normal repairs necessary to maintain premises in a tenantable condition shall be done by or under the direction of the landlord, and at the Landlord's expense, except those caused by negligence or acts of the Tenant, which repairs shall be made at the sole coast of the Tenant. 

Focus on analyzing properties and starting small, like house hacking or buying a single-family home to rent out rooms, while ensuring cash flow and maintaining an emergency fund.

This is how banks verify property owners maintain insurance.

I am just starting out and have 1 STR.Would love hear the pros/cons that you took into consideration when deciding how you want to manage your STR.Self managing STR properties, from afar, while maintaining other employment, is only a possibility because of the new technology made available in the last 10 - 15 years.  

YOU and ONLY YOU, are responsible for maintaining order in your house.  

Principal Paydown: $2,441 Total Gain: $58,317 ROI: 360.32% (on $16,185 upfront investment: 3.5% down payment of $8,715 + 3% closing costs of $7,470).Year 2 Analysis Cash Flow: -$752 Home Appreciation: $6,120 Principal Paydown: $2,617 Total Gain: $7,985 ROI: 49.34%.Year 3 Analysis Cash Flow: -$375 Home Appreciation: $6,242 Principal Paydown: $2,806 Total Gain: $8,674 ROI: 53.59%.Year 4 Analysis Cash Flow: $9 Home Appreciation: $6,367 Principal Paydown: $3,009 Total Gain: $9,386 ROI: 57.99%.Based on these numbers, you’d have negative cash flow for the first three years and only break even in Year 4, assuming a 2.5% annual rent increase.Adjusted Scenario see second picture: Landlord Covers Gas and WaterIn the second scenario, I assumed the landlord would pay for gas and water at $300/month while maintaining the same 2% home appreciation rate.

According to the sales person, I don't need to handle PH level, adding chlorine or even changing water due to sodium level they maintain.