My list includes - last 2 years employment history and current employment [2 paystubs], criminal checks, eviction checks, No Pets, No smoking, tenant pays utilities, maintains landscape, no subleasing, bring own washer & dryer, 1 month security deposit and transfer of utilities before moving in, rental insurance, all occupants will be on lease, notice period of 2 months for termination, tenant references, No cosigners, no painting walls, late fee notice, any hoa fines should be paid by tenant, inspection of property at 3, 9 and 12 months.Please let me know if I am missing anything.3.

Contract grade furnishing for common areas will last longer and pay for itself in the long run but will be costly upfront. 

This has become more common place over the past few years.  

Like they want to file a Quiet deedRE is becoming over run with  OOS  BRRR ROI  COC etc etc.This type of thing is very common though in Aviation there is an abbreviation for nearly everything you do in Aviation. 

Another option to consider is using the space for Airbnb or mid-term rentals.Here in Texas, basements aren't common, but I found a home where the third bedroom had its own entrance right off the driveway.

Megan, Not sure if I can help you exactly, but a few items that might help: 1) As you are out having conversations with potential private money lenders, you can start the conversation about "Did you know you can use IRA, or old employer 401k funds to make private money loans, secured by real estate?"

Deny.Part of my screening process is to check the length of employment.

@Adam Bartomeo in the area where the property is, for the smaller units, it is common expectation that all utilities are included with the rent.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to stay focused and avoid some of these common pitfalls early on.Quick thoughts:Find the right Realtor – Make sure they’ve got some skin in the game with househacking or investment experience.Budget = Game Plan – That pre-approval is your marching orders.

This may be true for (1) home with values so low that 6% commissions aren’t worth pursuing, (2) homes in areas most brokers don’t want to service (though I have owned properties in VERY rough areas and never had a problem finding interested brokers or (3) properties needing so much work to make livable that broker marketing would not be effective (much less common today with many brokers specializing in investment properties and many others representing investors as a part of their client base).