Many arrive at this strategy through paid mentorship, while others settle on the strategy through their own education because its such a  widely discussed strategy with so many industry participants peddling the concept thanks to the low barrier of entry and ancillary services and fees that are generated.  

I think this mindset stemmed from my family struggling after the 2008 crash. - 2022-2023 I let my spending get out of my natural comfort zone. - 2024, I’ve been retraining myself to focus on saving & budgeting.Any helpful tips to help balance this?

After the 2006 crash, I don’t think you can get interesting options like this anymore but I credit this (along with not spending above what I could actually afford) getting me into real estate and building equity.  

Add in that our violent crime rate is almost 2x that of Cedar Rapid's, and our property management options are terrible, that is how I arrived at my answer!

In a lot of ways I came up in the 2008 crash and didn't see RE as a viable investment option. 

However, it is only day 1, so I will have to see how it goes and what other lessons I learn.I did also put together house rules, and go over everything with the tenant upon arrival (I did talk about any "rules" during the final interview to make sure we were both clear on expectations), and provided a written copy.

It has gotten harder as housing values have fully recovered from the 2008-2010 real estate crash.

It has been suggested to me that I should wait until after the election because of a crash that is supposedly coming.

The last crash created ways for banks to help consumers and they are already offering help.

Its crashing down here and getting worse.