Consider starting small with house hacking a duplex or triplex, and use tools like the BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator to analyze deals.Good luck!

The marketing/advertising firm, aka RE broker, is not the expert in building codes, zoning, structural engineering, neighborhood safety, etc.As a prudent investor, always do your own due diligence or you'll end up being (unitentionally) misguided by a RE broker's information.  

Don't use it strictly as a tool to turn the property into one you want to live in. 

Avoid PMI and then go to a local credit union and get a heloc after closing to gift the money back.Have this as a tool in your tool belt but pursue use of the 3.5% FHA, knowing that you will be at a competitive disadvantage if you are competing with non FHA buyers, then you can call in the favor from your gift person.Just know that if someone gifts you down payment money, your bank will require them to sign a letter stating that it is in fact a gift that doesn’t need to be paid back.

Even though the interest rates are high, it’s a great tool for people who don’t have all the cash to do a fix-and-flip. 

Be sure to check out the free tools BP provides to help analyze deals you may have and also market insights.

We pay payroll taxes and workers comp, we comply with state and federal laws regarding work place safety, PTO, vacation, labor laws et al.

I'm wondering what tools and resources you all use as rental owners and investors to get or keep your financial ducks in a row?

I have a great planning tool that could help you with planning your acquisition strategy for the next 10 years you might find helpful.  

Another idea to consider is the FHA 203K renovation mortgage, this is another excellent tool to use because of flexibility and other worthwhile features you might consider researching.