If you are pulling a HELOC or taking family money, leveraging credit cards, using personal savings it took you years to accumulate, whatever the source of money is - unless the source is endless - start small. 

You are over-thinking the process and will be sitting on vacancies as the market slows and tenants become harder to find.Get a YTD paystub, last year's W-2, recent bank statement, government picture ID and SSN card.

I suggested to Clint to stack some credit cards to have zero rate for 12 -18 months as his cushion for cash.

So how much is your w-2 income and your total mortgage debt/car/credit cards?

Some of the deal structures on these are overly complicated and involve way too many people, more like a house of cards than an investment strategy.  

I’m looking for the best ways to build my FICO score.Most likely, it will be a secure credit card, but do I need to have a US address in order my FICO score?

I would prefer it to be my handyman but if my tenants have someone reputable, all I ask is for them to send me their business card.

Some things to consider are: if minor maintenance is included, if they file the occupancy tax on the owners behalf, if they hire the cleaning service and if they "eat" the credit card fees or pass them onto the owner.

There's no need to compensate them for dining or anything else because the rest of the rental is still usable.Even if your renters are understanding and don't ask for anything, I will still consider compensating them for the inconvenience with a $100 gift card or something.

I shook his hand introduced myself, gave him my card and then asked him to call if there were questions or concerns.