I did mobiles, looked into self-storage, vacant commercial property and re-purposing old white elephants (old warehouses) or motels or toys r us's or any number of failed brick and mortar structures with motivated sellers. 

If they have lots of "toys" (RV, multiple cars, dune buggy, boat, lots of vacations they couldn't afford - then I'm not so interested.) 

Hopefully you'd know that AC is not one of the conditions of habitability for a home in California and you'd tell your tenant that the repair person will be coming out the following day on Monday and save yourself from unnecessarily paying triple time.Lastly, since you mentioned clogged toilets, what if your tenant called you while you're on vacation and said his kid just flushed a toy down the toilet and now the toilet is clogged and he's demanding you call out a plumber immediately. 

My wife is an amazing decorator and we are toying with the idea of leaving all furniture/ammenities in the house and renting to mid-term renters (people relocating needing a place while they get settled, healthcare providers doing residencies etc..)...I'd really appreciate any feedback from anyone who has experience with this..ideas on advertising, pricing rents, contracts etc....thanks in advanceBrian

I am one no closer to yes now

I have been toying with the idea of selling it instead of renting do to the location to me. 

I have plenty of friends with much nicer cars than I have, nicer clothes, better toys, but my sacrificing those things gave me something that they don't have; freedom. 

We actually toyed with the idea of renting year round once we knew we'd spend a few months down there so that we had a place to run off too any time.

Move to less expensive housing, cancel all your electronic toys, spend less time and money with friends etc.If you make saving and investing your priority in life you will be amazed at how much money you are actually wasting on useless items every month.  

Recession resistant asset class (people downsize, move in together, move back home, etc. during recessions)Cash flowing asset (not dependent on market appreciation)People buy a lot of crap and toys during good economic times (and need a place to put it)75% of the facilities in the country are owned by non-institutional owners (opportunity for adding value)Small ($10-30) rental increases create large increases in NOI and property valuationSticky tenant baseUnits are easy to maintain (brick and metal, no amenities, little landscaping)Location, population growth, and barriers to entry matter.