(that is, assuming you've hired an agent with experience, market knowledge, and the wisdom to be able to guide you to what you're looking for). 

This coming year set the goal of getting more committed to learn and expand my knowledge to avoid previous mistakes taken as well as to be able to effectively continue to expand my portfolio.I’m here to connect with others who are also passionate about real estate, and I’m eager to learn from your experiences, insights, and advice.

Are there any landlords here who have experience with filing evictions in SC? 

The lessons you learned the hard way in 2008 will be invaluable now, and it’s great that you’re aiming to stay small-scale and within your comfort zone of Sacramento, which gives you an advantage of knowledge in that market.Given your experience, I'd say start by focusing on three key areas to build confidence and minimize risks:Budget Control: Over-renovating was one of the big mistakes you mentioned.

I have legal background, billing, office and executive assistant type experience, and now many years of marketing experience as well.

Some people need 2% above the borrowing cost (8% cost of hELOC you gotta then make 10% + etc) and others will want to double their cost of capital or 200% so it depends.Everyone's going to give you their anecdotal experience or what their preferences are so its good to hear it all and determine your own.

Not a single guy with no experience in the field.

- If all their experience is STR, then they are probably expecting you to treat them like an STR guest.

Here is my experience, I once sent out 5,000 beautifully designed, professionally printed post cards and got zero calls.

I work with these two:Metro Detroit Property Management - Mark HutterNHL Property management - Howard GenserThere are a tonne of companies and each one has had good and bad experiences, so no one in particular stands out.One part of the equation is that the Detroit market itself is a tough place and is not for the novice investors.Only seasoned and large volume Investors make it successful in Detroit.