Also no credit reporting, so I signed up for Landlord Credit Bureau at my expense.Hope this helps, for now I’ll be staying with Hemlane.

I have two banks that have done so as well as a credit card, and know of a couple of organizations that have as well.

Your fixed costs could be something like the following: $5k property tax, $2k insurance, $3k utility (including internet and TV), $2k landscaping (mowing, weeding), $2k or $3k maintenance (if you have a pool or hot tub). 

I'm 53, married with 2 kids less than 17 years old with debt only from purchases on credit cards and my home.

Here is a solid summary from an internet search that will give you all you need to move forward:"A notice to terminate a property management agreement is a written communication to the property management company that informs them of the intention to end the contract.

If the applicant comes from the pool of people that I or my tenants know, I use real estate as a way to give back as many of my tenants will not qualify credit wise or may even have a criminal background or would struggle for another reason if I were to just stick to the "background/credit check" criteria. 

Ask for a line of credit.  

• Is this a better strategy than using your own name, capital and credit to start out?

Use gap funding (credit lines, partners) for the down payment.

These programs offer options for less money down and in some cases DPA - Down payment assistance.As a banker for over 18+ years I am very skeptical when I hear a new name in the business only because its become tougher to lend with all of the new laws and credit/insurance requirements and regulations.