My biggest lesson was listen to the numbers and not to your emotions.

Be SURE to no allow your emotions get in the way!  

Admittedly it's an emotional purchase but won't tell the listing broker.

The longer you reside in a home the harder it is for most people to turn into a rental because it gains emotional significance.  

Having a third party in the transaction that doesn't have an emotional attachment is ideal, because they bring a dose of realty and keep other parties in check.

The guy was an emotional wreck…pale, hands shaking in fear.

~ No matter how much time as passed the emotions for the family are still raw..Good luck..  

I tell myself I should be like everyone else in every developed society and not worry that my prosperity is built on a mudsill over the less fortunate of the earth, feed myself some cheesy moral double-talk like "I would argue it is unethical not to try and make money" with a hefty side of rationalization, but it doesn't always work.I don't do that, I look at this like a business..like a big Hotel, or a 7--11, like a business.Customers want a product and they pay for that--to the best of their ability.I try to match the product offering to the target customer as best as possible, while keeping my profits as high as I can--like any other business.Unless the Emotional side of this is your gas pedal, (it's not mine) it can burn you out.High initial years cash flow on reasonable down, and good appreciation to me are two different business models that don't have a meeting point.And as a Business Man I try to treat people in a "Rational" "Un-emotional" "Fair" manner, realizing I have the power to do otherwise--but I believe doing otherwise is not a good practice in the long run.Renters like everyone else will always have drama--Class C and D even more--They have the same drama in the Local 7--11 too.

The goal is to take all the emotion out of buying rentals.

Talk to the pros and get help because emotions cloud one's sensibilities to value things.