And the really messed up ones, they don't even give a landlord an option, per fine print in contract, they just go out and do whatever and send a bill after the fact. 

I'm fine with losing lots of time and effort even if it just means breaking even.

The market might be unforgiving - again, that's fine.

I could care less if anyone used my services.. we do just fine without one off beginners.

If a person wants to chase wealth for wealth's sake, that's fine with me.

Learn the lawsDon't use a contract "off the internet", laws vary by state and are also regulated on a federal level Learn the financing techniques correctlyDon’t skip parts of the processDon’t ever do a “kitchen table” closingUse the proper deedAn attorney can help you with the legal work, but the rest you are on your ownYour guru will not bail you out“Investing” in someone else’s deal by providing a small 2nd loan so the “investor” can pay for “cash to the seller” and for “closing costs” so he can do the deal is a very bad planKnow what problems can ariseLearn the responses and solutions to problems before they are needed Know everything there is to know about Title and what that meansKnow who a "protected class" individual isLearn the "back doors"Learn human natureUnderstand timelinesUnderstand regulation enforcement (some of these "mistakes" have a 10 year statue of limitations ( they can charge you 10 years AFTER you do the transaction) and carry hefty fines and possible imprisonmentThe court doesn't accept "I didn't know" for an answer"Know that the source of the lead plays a serious role in some states and federallyKnow how much of a "profit" pushes the boundaries to invite an investigationYou can be sued by the seller if you don’t do things correctlyYou are automatically at fault if an investigator or attorney or regulator gets involved.

They can and will fine you heavily and order you to remove it completely if you don't go to them first and ask for an inspection and do what they want to make it legal and permitted.Don't try to "get away with it".Be a businessman and fix the problem the right way.

But I am sure they talked about fines and penalties. 

On the surface that sounds fine except with VRBO I did not where I have access to their credit card to charge them directly but rather I could submit an extra charge and it's up to the guest if they pay or not.

That is fine but it left many of the family without a safety net.