A major plus. 

They have a MAJOR conflict of interest - they don't get paid until they place a tenant, yet they have ZERO liability for the performance of that tenant.If you hire an agent, you better make sure you retain control over screening & approval.

Between renovations and major property maintenance (removed 4 trees that were too close to the property) I am at the end of my savings.

It is definitely a great opportunity to make major cash flow.

When using the Fannie/Freddie/Federal Home Loan Bank second home occupancy loan and you transfer title within the first year to an LLC that the borrower is majority owner of it will not trigger the due on sale clause as long as you can attest that it will continue to be a second home.  

Besides BP, I know there are real estate investor groups on FB for just about every major US city.

The second: Specialized Real Estate Attorneys- This has been a huge challenge for me since most attorneys I reach out to either work for major banks or charge prices that just don't work for acquiring up to 5 properties a year.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

The vast majority of lawsuits against Landlords are for wrongful eviction, security deposit disputes, and Fair Housing Violations.

I have talked to the owner and the majority of his clients are out of state investors.