Like all tenant screening tools or services, it gives us all the standard stuff like full credit reports, criminal background checks, eviction history. 

I've made about $140k the last two years between my full-time job and some personal injury cases I've settled.

You could structure the deal with seller financing to bridge the gap.Possible offer structure:-Purchase Price: $170K - closer to actual value-Down Payment: Low or zero down to conserve cash-Interest Rate: 3%-5% - or better yet, 0% if the seller will agree-Monthly Payments: Interest-only or deferred until the sale-Balloon Payment: Full payoff in two years when you sellIf he wants $200K, you can still make an offer of:-$170K purchase price + $30K as a second lien due at closing-Seller carries $170K at a low interest rateHe would feel closer to his number, but you still keep within reasonable investment limits.2.

No more getting your phone blown up with questions!

For example we usually budget about $2,500 for kitchen appliances including dishwasher, because we rent to families and a full-size french door fridge alone will be $1200-$1400.And we usually have two bathrooms, and they take a lot of material and labor. 

I've realized that I'm not looking to start another full-time career.

Buy box: Location: Approx. 30 min drive to Boston Heights, for workNeighborhoods: Decent walkability score - not far from shops/restaurants/trendy neighborhoodsIdeal tenants: Close to hospitals/universities/schools for professionals/students/familiesBudget: $175-250K - Buying w/conventional loan, 5% down/ approx 20K reno.Property type: MFH 2-4 units - preferably side-by-side, with a yard we can fence for our dogUnits: 3+/1+ - better if 1.5/2 bath per unitTimeline: Plan to live there for 2 years, but possibly only 1 year if we find another investment opportunityGoal: Focus on appreciation - would like to see cash flow in year 2-3 (the year we move out), including overhead (Vacancies, Maintenance, Utilities) and budgeting in PM if eventually we don't manage ourselvesValue add: Opportunity for some forced appreciation, but not a full reno - cosmetic upgrades and updating kitchens/baths while we live in one unit.

Hi Ven, I personally consider properties that at least cash flow with full occupancy. 

Unless you still want to buy the property, the seller is in breech for not closing because you are full ready to close but they haven't or refused to sign anything.In NC if the seller breaches, the buyer can sue for specific performance.

I ending up burning some money for the things you described (NAR membership, brokerage fees, quarterly MLS charges, etc), just a lot of things I found I wasn't getting any value from, I decided to simply put it on full stop and take a year to really reallocate and figure out what I needed to do.