Figure out ways to source off-market deals that are closer to meeting the criteria you are looking for (The higher your standards, the more difficult it will be, but that's the point of good deals).

Those that respond “$0” or something ridiculous, you can request income documentation from them to justify.Don’t be afraid to share with them how much your property taxes & Insurance increased and that YOU cannot afford to absorb them.ALWAYS get an increase or something of value annually or tenants will start thinking they should never have an increase, making future increases that much more difficult to negotiate.

The city does make it somewhat difficult to set up but it is more paperwork than anything else.

It's not difficult, just another step.

I’m only annoyed because he’s making my life difficult. 

His entire approach was to try to make the entire process seem too difficult, but I should trust my money with him because he knows it all.

Not to be a jerk about it, but I've done my share of difficult things. 

It's difficult to be completely hands off on your first one because BRRRR and flips are active investment methods.

As the population continues to grow and more high income earners move here to work at Toyota, Boom, etc. the average purchase price will continue to rise making it even more difficult for first time buyers to break into the market.

If you brought a bad deal because you brought on emotion, learn to take emotion out of the situation and research the numbers more to know what is a good deal and what isin't.Look at the past sales(90 days) of the area that you are interested in buying.Understand what is a good price per square foot and know what streets are good / bad.The wealth in real estate are made when you buy and when you hold.If you buy bad, it makes it a more difficult process.Best of luck