I am planning to self manage as well and since there aren't many managers in my area I will likely employ a similar strategy once I decide to outsource the management.

Only invest in cities with significant and sustained population growth.Lasts throughout your lifetime: For your rental income to last, your tenants must remain employed at similar wages.

First thing is NEVER feel concerned of hurting someone's feelings or ego, your reviewing to employ them, that makes you the boss doesn't it?

Your ad should require "proof of income" not proof of employment.

When parents employ their minor child, the child is exempt from Social Security and Medicare (aka FICA) - if under 18.

You do need to have steady employment, decent credit, and not be drowning in debt.

We are fair housing compliant regarding animals.Our tenants’ safety and the peaceful enjoyment of their home is important to us, so we do a credit/criminal background check on all applicants aged 18+, as well as employment and prior landlord verifications.

Congrats, on both of those deals and, more importantly, on staying persistent to find your niche.Lots of misinformation on this thread.Andrey is not pitching anything or lyingHe is not expecting 30% IRR on every opportunityFinding and vetting trustworthy sponsors is not as hard as non-syndication investors thinkPerforming diligence on sponsors takes years, not hours or daysMany sophisticated LPs perform extensive diligence on sponsors and opportunities that is not discussed on BP (TLO reports on history of crime, bankruptcies, collections, credit, businesses owned, personal residence owned, employment, family members (including phone numbers), even traffic violations...the list goes on)Many LPs leverage sites like Ian's, 506 group, in-person conferences, and one another to analyze opportunities and sponsors together (it's a lot more sophisticated that the "what do you think about XYZ" posts on BP)There are tons of sponsors and opportunities that don't use short-term, bridge financing or max leverageMost are using 5-12 year debt, with inception LTVs in the 70s and year 2-3 LTVs in the 60s (and carry high reserves on top of that)The opportunities discussed on BP are only a small fraction of what's available in the marketPrudent syndication investing is just like anything else in life...it takes diligence and time. 

Expensive markets are often desirable because many people want to live there, driving up demand and prices.Reno, NV, for instance, is a market that benefits from diversified employment sectors, including tech manufacturing, hospitality, and recreation.

Make sure to call the employers.