It can be done.My advice is pick a place and put ALL your efforts into a strategy to get into the game in that market. 

Hello All,I've been a free member of BP for a couple of years and had not put much effort or thought into it's resources.

We will always make good faith efforts to continue to update our articles and resources.

@Aaron Mazzrillo I get what you are saying about accepting the loss and spending one's time and effort to find new deals rather than chasing lost money.  

If the gross rent is $2000 and the repairs/vacancy/mgmt/capex is 50% of this $2000, that is a $1000, the cashflow and the returns look so minuscule especially if you consider the effort that goes into managing the rental and the tenants and the cost of the upkeep.If not for the appreciation and the tax benefits, SFH real estate started becoming unappealing to me.

I would just be very, very diligent in your efforts to qualify them for your rental.

It has the enjoyment of a hobby, but I also treat it like my second career/job given the amount of time and effort I spend on it. 

If you want to create the cash flow and high returns, you have to be willing to put in the effort and do what others wouldn't do. 

However, this discounts effort and risk.  

After significant effort I get great tenants though.