Since I am remote to my rentals, I have my various repair resources I can reach out to that can fix things on occasion, and then I travel about 4-5 times per year myself check and repair items as needed.  

On occasion agents would get deals.

That's the rare occasion and billionaires can gamble like that but for the rest of us, it's best to diversify and get the growth from the stock market. 

I have contested my property taxes on numerous occasions and have not had as much luck as you. 

I’ve on occasion just called the seller if I could find a contact number and verify they know who I am and my interest in their property.

They each worked for us on a few occasions, when they had spare time and we had work available. 

I too am an animal lover and have had the occasion to have animals in my own home. 

I just came off a deal where my lender held up the closing of the loan on multiple occasions.

On occasions when I have to do some basic or detailed research I also learned to work with local assessors officies and realtors. 

I’m a real estate agent and just bought a vacation home, our first investment property.We plan to use it for ourselves as much as possible and may pull some Airbnb action on occasion.