This is rarely the case - it could be a bad deal for numerous reasons from bad sponsor, to bad management to bad economic conditions.

Hello, When & how far out do you reach out to your tenants to field a renewal coming off a 1 year lease?

I suggest going into a real estate investing field.

Is there anyone on here who works in this field and could tell me about the logistics of the job and your personal experience?

Cash reserves have saved me on numerous occasions. 100% of properties break down eventually.

Austin (where I live) has not been attractive for some time now, as the inventory is still overpriced and sellers are slow to adjust pricing - which I understand.Houston on the other hand has numerous areas that are still a value from an investment perspective.

There are so many people don't know what there are doing in this field and when things get south, the first thing they do to prevent losing money is disappear or lie.

Quote from @Barrington Smith: Contractors that give free estimate in the Fort Lauderdale areaHey @Barrington Smith that’s going to be a somewhat tough task, and it comes back to basic principles of those who crush fields:-the guy who does great work often values his time a lot and won’t give a free estimate-the guy who is hurting for work often will.  

Real estate investment is a field where you may succeed if you are committed and persistent.

It levels the playing field with other offers.Just think of it like this.