Your property listing can also be a great way to lay out qualifying criteria (i.e credit score minimum, and require a co-signer if lower).After conducting due diligence into a particular tenants situation, and you decided to proceed with an application approval, you could require a higher security deposit. 

I've been getting a card or two a year to increase my limit (indirectly lowers utilization as well if you don't charge it up) - it does hurt the overall credit age though 

The biggest mistake new investors make is to walk a property, maybe explain in general terms what they want and then let the contractor come up with the SoW.For a bedroom this could be:- replace carpet- repair closet dooror- remove carpet- remove curtains, nails and screws- replace closet doors, entry door SKU#- replace window SKU#- refinish hardwood floors 144 sqft, clear/oil-based- prep and paint all woodwork- patch walls, texture, paint walls eggshell white clay, ceiling flat white- replace light fixture SKU#, replace lightswitch w decora/white, replace 3 outlets&covers- install blinds SKU#Obviously, the cost would be quite different.

One hiccup and you're breaking even, like appraisals that come in at 265 (or even lower!). 

Hey Becky, I see your note about cash flow being lower on the north side but appreciation being significant.

The lower the median age for the area, the better 1/1 will be.

Basically types of deals where you will pay the money back quickly, but I have heard of some folks getting financing for longer term with lower rates. 

Gifting the property to your son transfers your basis ($265K) to him, allowing him to sell at his lower tax rate (0%-12%), but requires using part of your lifetime gift tax exclusion.

Time the Sale Strategically: Selling the property in a year when your income is lower can place you in a lower capital gains tax bracket, reducing the tax rate on your gains.8.

Accreditation today has a seemingly lower bar than it was, say, ten years ago due to inflation.