We built it out of necessity and started same way as everyone, cut our teeth on bad decisions.

Ensure your agreement with that person has teeth so if they sign off on something that isn't right they can be held liable for it. 

As easy as this sounds, it's not simple and usually like pulling teeth.

Cut your teeth on something easy. 

In other words, if there are attorneys who can afford to specialize in just prosecuting dog owners for dog bites - then good luck defending against them.What I learned when I was studying law, was that if there is any history whatsoever that a dog has ever bitten someone or a dog before, then no matter the circumstances, if they bite again - they are automatically guilty.And, even as a dog lover, you and I both know that some breeds are more likely to bite than others.  

Buy a fourplex so you have a place to live and three rentals to cut your teeth on.

It has greatly lagged Huntsville and Madison in growth and appreciation, and should not be viewed as having the same growth potential whatsoever. 

I got this advise 8 years ago... the lawyer part, till now I have not had the need to use them whatsoever, and I had to evict a tenant myself.

Absolutely no screening activity involved whatsoever other than these non-fair housing related mentions. 

I say somewhat because it is like pulling teeth when you need to use it.We also do direct bookings and other platforms where we do our own ID verification.