I require a $1,000 security deposit, no exceptions and I let them know they will be paying all utilities, mowing the lawn, keeping up the landscaping and cleaning the gutter. 

There are banks out there that offer lines of credit for GP stakes, which many established syndicators utilize and draw on to potentially fund their follow-on offerings.  

This would come from any past employer 401k plans you might have that you can rollover to your self-directed Solo401k and utilize for investments. 

Our past clients have utilized this strategy for their first 2-3 small-multifamilies, and just over 3-4 years have 10-12 rentals doors.

There are fixed costs you won't be able to get away from utilities, insurance, etc and are typically stable year to year or with some measured growth.

Look historically what utilities has been costing and charge a flat rate. 

While the marketing side would essentially give you another full-time job, it could yield results and bring more options forward.Your agent can help you source most prospective deals while utilize your own marketing efforts to find potential deals. 

Pros to my current position: Secure, w2, pay is above average, benefits are stellar, schedule is somewhat flexible (can leave if I need to without penalty; vacation when I want - utilizing banked time on both), 3 miles from home, and hopefully a pension in 17 years. 

The tenants pay for all their own utilities.

I have purchased and utilized the deal Automator and can give you at least my side of what I experienced.