A 3% minimum payment on a $20k credit card for example, is $600 per month cash flow with 0 risk - not to mention the peace of mind, credit score boost and increased buying power!

As someone who is looking to get started investing in the US from overseas your story really helped me see that its possible and gave me a boost of confidence to get started.Thank you for sharing 😁

Over estimate your costs and fees dramatically to be safe.

This stuff is going to happen when the tenant has a direct line of communication to you, but it also doesn't appear to be anything too dramatic or problematic.

The 2% rule may work on paper and spreadsheets, HOWEVER, if you are in a c class or lower area surrounded by even lower-end properties, that 'extra' cash flow can evaporate with lower quality tenants, more repairs, higher turnover, slow or no-pay occupants, etc.The trick is to get a deal where you have a good neighborhood, good schools, pay a reasonable price, and make sure you can 'value-add' to boost your returns.

It never fails to make a dramatic impression on the neighborhood. lol. 

If I don’t hear from you in the next 10 minutes, I will assume you aren’t attending and I will move on to my next appointment.Using this system as dramatically reduced any wasted time I used to endure as part of the showing process as well as giving me data about their timeliness/responsiveness/respect for others' time.At the showing, I collect their completed application (sent via PDF prior or filled out on premises), scan their photo ID and last 2 pay stubs.Then, I do some digging around online (social media, court records, Google) and if it looks like they are representing themselves to me accurately, I contact them to set up a "contract to hold" meeting - usually the day after the showing since qualified applicants need to be "closed" ASAP.

When I don't boost I get a ton of messages.

I've always tried to find ways to boost my income, meaning I've tried a couple of multilevel marketing ventures (which failed...). 

Goal now is to complete touch up work by the end of this month, have an appraiser come by, hopefully get enough of a boost in equity to use a heloc for the next purchase!