However, I'd be reluctant to give my dues to a stranger to invest, especially if there wasn't enough recourse with the investor to recover the funds when needed.

Stranger things can happen.Gail

Their choice, but I can certainly understand their hesitancy to let strangers roam around, and I know that either way I need to be really watchful to protect their belongings.

Especially in a college town, I know for a fact many college students would love their own place (even if it's tiny) after a year of sharing a dorm with a stranger

I don't think I would want to give out that info to a stranger and feel funny about asking for it.

Hey, stranger!

Mailing a letter or postcard to strangers offering printed returns (you mentioned rates higher than banks pay) without a license is a SEC violation.

There are plenty of opportunities to make money by coordinating tenants-strangers and helping them reduce their living expenses.

I have made gifts to random strangers, but not ones that advertise on craigslist.If you want to do small lending, use prosper or some similar site where there is some vetting of borrowers and you can distribute your money.

As far as access to property, would probably go with electronic locks on the doors.Cleaning, Initially anyway, cleaning would be handled by wife and I.It's a long shot for sure, wife doesn't like the idea of allowing 'strangers' into her home.