According to the water meter, approximately 1 days after being served the court summons for eviction, the tenant turned on all of the faucets in the home and ran them for about 55 days.

Besides buying turn-key properties with all cash (from the likes of REI etc), are there any other passive RE investment opportunities that will fit this criteria ?  

If you want to get a weekly dose of STR info I highly recommend signing up for Garrett's STR news that is emailed weekly, here's how to do that - https://app.tango.us/app/workflow/BiggerPockets-free-Short-T...Keep us updated on what you decide and how things turn out!

My first property, a C-Class multi-family in Houston, seemed like a great investment, but it turned out to be a money pit.

Assuming that's what you're looking for, the above mentioned google turned up this website: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/property-info.phpIf you click on the GIS parcel viewer option, there's a search bar where you can punch in a street address.

The costs sound a little low to me if you are talking turn key including permits, site work, utilities, plans, surveys etc.

I have yet to be turned down for a credit card.  

@Dan AshleyYou’re wise to be looking for ways to turn rent into your own equity.

We’re one ofthe few property managers that require W-2’s and a bank statement and we go way beyond the traditional, “income must =3x rent” qualifier.Below is more information about what our Applications Department does to screen applicants and find the best tenantspossible for your property.Required InfoWe require the following from each applicant over the age of 18, that is not a dependent of anotherapplicant (as evidenced on a tax return):Copy of acceptable state picture IDRecent YTD paystubRecent W-2Recent Bank Statement, all pages, no info blacked outRecent tax return if self-employedApplicants are often slow about turning this information in, asking us why we need it and then takingseveral days to submit.

Hi @Douglas Alexander, I've used the VA loan many times, but never for MFR.You can't use it for more than a 4-unit building, so 1-4 is OK, 5 or more... nope.Great plan though to house-hack it.Let me know how your research turns out ref. building from scratch.Could be an interesting idea... build like a 3/2 for your family and 3 more smaller units.Then when you move out, you can rent the 3/2 for more obviously and could earn some good cash flow.