Without reserves, they might be unable to evict tenants or prepare the units once they are vacant.Great points—walking the property and speaking with tenants during due diligence is a practice we now prioritize, along with running tenant histories through eviction databases.

Ideally you'd be there too (or a manager if you had one) as that is best practice in my opinion, but being remote you just have to outsource everything to people you trust. 

If it escalates, they can step in and mediate if needed.

Unfortunately it's not practical in a rental unit.

For me, it's about practicing Cooperative Group Economics: It's not about me maximizing my profit, by rather about me maximizing the benefit to my community.

Just the first step alone is a bit of a deterrent. 

@Gash Nookala,Renting can indeed be slower in winter, but here are some tips to boost interest:Enhance Listing: Ensure your listing has detailed descriptions and high-quality photos—consider professional photography if needed.Competitive Pricing: Double-check local comps; even a slight price adjustment or incentives (like a reduced deposit) could attract more interest.Broaden Marketing: Beyond Zillow, Hemlane, and MLS, use social media, community boards, and local business connections to reach a wider audience.Flexible Lease Terms: Offering shorter or month-to-month leases might appeal to tenants during this slower season.Local Property Manager: A local pro can tap into their network and help fill the vacancy faster.These steps should help you find a tenant despite the seasonal slowdown.

We don't practice discussing the details of private transactions publicly, thats just not good business.

Your idea of using a second home mortgage for house hacking is both creative and practical, especially given your flexibility.

Does this approach make sense as a first step for us?