You'll encounter setbacks and face numerous rejections and criticisms.

If you don't leverage yourself with millions of debt, then real estate will probably just barely beat the bond market but with a lot more maintenance and risk.I did some quick math on a condo I purchased in cash 10 years ago for $140k.

Just make sure you're not breaking any city rules when splitting the house.In most cases, you won't face issues if you split a house as long as you live there, but it's best to confirm with local regulations to be sure.

And I'd say it with a straight face, smile, turn around and walk away as they stand there slack-faced. 

Are you willing to risk the unknown (tenant moves, time your property will be vacant, repairs or clean up to  get the place marketed again, you get a new tenant who isn't as good etc.)Obviously you can't nor shouldn't be held hostage by the fear of your tenant leaving and having to face the inevitable.

Do I discuss it with him personally and possibly face extreme verbal, or God forbid, physical backlash?

We have been in the Smokies a long time, and many guest accidents, some of them life threatening over the years, could have been avoided with an annual risk management walk-thru:- Loose or rotting steps- Nails poking up through deck boards- Stinging insect hives or infestations- Ceiling fans that are barely hanging on- Loose deck, stair, and landing railings- And oh, about a hundred other things!

@Jung-Jin ShimI strongly advise against entering into any deal where you're facing a negative cash-on-cash return.

For example, if in the rental application you don't put xyz it's illegal and you can get suedif in the rental application you mention xyz it's illegal and you can get suedif you put clause xyz in the lease, it's illegal and you can get suedif you don't put xyz clause in the lease, it's illegal and you can get suedif you sign the lease wrong, the whole lease is void and you don't have a leaseif you don't provide xyz to the tenant, you can get suednot to mention how unfriendly my state is with respect to landlords, if a tenant is not paying rent, good luck evicting them. plenty of properties in my market for dirt cheap because it has deadbeat tenants and nobody wants to deal with them.yes in an ideal world I have 20 lawyers and accountants on speed dial who I can call any time, but lawyers and accountants are expensive and I have done the math, at best if you are really lucky you can barely cover your mortgage, I don't have money for a lawyer.

I'm aware of a couple off-market deals that I've dug up for other investors, and I know a local investor that owns over a hundred of units that he'd consider selling, all the way from bare land, to single families, to multi-units including several apartment buildings.