For instance we were chasing a bad guy and we broke the backyard gate.

More commonly, there are little things: Let's say a gate sags and doesn't close well, or a front door swells from wet weather and fits too tightly in the frame.

I could get more for my 1684 sq ft condo in a gated community but this strategy has worked very well.

Hi Mike,I'm ready to lock up a contract very soon, would Like to tak to you soon.

@Erik E.In my opinion, I think you should buy your first couple properties with the intent of them becoming rentals right out of the gate.

most of the ownership is through LLC or INC and on top of that most are managed by outside companies who do not really want to connect you with the sellers.so your goal needs to have a strategy of getting through all the gate keepers directly to the owners. 

It is not a get rich quick business, but new investors, don"t put your selves in a position to fail right out of the gate! 

I had a gate opener installed at my house so that I didn't have to go open the gate.  

I don't personally like your hands off approach with your first property as far as hiring a property manager right out of the gate and not really being open to fixing stuff.

The management company's showing agent also promised the tenants that I had an automatic gate opener for our wooden gate (I didn't.)