Granted we only have 17 but still, I’ve never used anything except a simple excel spreadsheet and all my rental properties have a separate savings account under my main account at my local bank.

Innago is an excellent platform that not only enables you to market your properties but also offers a link for potential tenants to submit applications, including credit and background screenings.

Whoever gives me the most business and has an excellent close record will first be presented with off-market opportunities. 

This has also allowed us to provide some excellent incentives for our investors, locking in long term debt currently at 3.75%  through our in house financing program.

Both Lifestyles' and Brad's training was/is excellent. 

I book marginal candidates in between strong ones to create a scarcity mentality. 

For a simple/budget-friendly option, Google sheets/Excel can actually be a great starting point.8.

Growing enrollment at UA may also potentially push rents upward over time, so that’s an excellent plus.

Both are excellent platforms which save people immense amount of work and tme by compiling all the critical data you need in 1 place but there leads are way behind the county recorders/courts/notices i.e the source of most motivated seller leads.

The resources and books you mentioned, like the BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide and The Book On Rental Property Investing, sound like excellent starting points.Prioritizing financial stability and eliminating debt is crucial, and I agree that a solid financial foundation is key to successful investing.