Quote from @Erick Pena: A "good" rental property is one that covers all expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management fees, and any other costs) and still leave a surplus (commonly referred to as cash flow).Calculate cash flow as: Cash Flow = Rental Income − Operating Expenses − DebtThere's much more to it, but that's the basic idea.

This leads me back to my mother, as she approaches her end years, I hate to think about this, but she wants to leave my sister and I one of the houses I mentioned earlier.

The truth is, they will keep playing games and milk you for every penny they can, then they will leave the house a mess and cost more with cleaning, repairs, and vacancy.

I am ok and usually do leave some of my money in a refi.

I've had qualified renters move into a rental, add their bum friends or family members, and then disappear, leaving me with bad renters who weren't approved and aren't on the lease.The best practice is to screen every adult, approve them, and add them to the lease. 

I recommend lining someone up before you leave for a 1 year term.  

If all in around $435k, wouldn't she need to leave money into this deal with a projected ARV at $500k?

My W2 income is very high (+$500k), excellent credit, but I hate my job and I want to leave within a year or two. 

the one situation we do face is sometimes they just leave and go home with no notice..  

Quote from @Zachary Kessler: Hello all I’m currently hacking my house that has an ADU dwelling that generates income, I bought this property intending to leave and rent the house that I currently reside in (2 bed 1 bath) I currently have a very good interest rate locked in here from 2022 that I don’t want to lose or have my mortgage called due from leaving here, I live here for very cheap with the income from the ADU.