Because of that past behavior, they know how to play the game better now. 

I'm happy for any success you have there and glad you know how to play the game in your area but it's a whole different animal here.

But, you can play the game a little smarter, and understand - if the system is based on someone being the master, while someone else is a slave, then I have to position myself to be the master...then debt is not your enemy, but your friend (within reason, of course).You cannot use W2 income to buy depreciating assets.

the advantages of having a license are many and obviousplus it puts you in the business .. if you indeed want to be in the businessif you just want to buy rentals and play the landlord game its not necessary.but if you want to be a wheeler dealer  in my mind its mandatory.

When buying a property using seller finance, would it make sense to lowball so I can refi out after repairs are done or would you recommend buying at a retail value where the seller is comfortable at and play the waiting game to refi as the property appreciates.

I've got experience in "charity", non-profit and public housing, none operate without revenue considerations or aim to run inefficiently or to lose money, even public housing has a zero based budgeting goal to pay for it's own operations.In reality, it's the luck of the draw as to who will be your next applicant, you get what is dealt to you, unlike poker where you can fold, in leasing you have to play the hand you get.

Send the 5 day notice via certified mail so the tenant can't play the game that they didn't receive it.  

They are not interested in abandoning flourishing careers and moving to remote islands in the prime of their lives when they could stay and work at companies that are changing the world and someday even start their own companies and play the big game.As for overpriced properties, there is a reason why the market is so hot and homes get sold quickly and that’s because locals can afford those homes and that’s because they are well compensated.

Providing the actual owner with video (and audio) evidence is pretty damning, and also places the owner on notice that said activities are taking place.If sued (especially in small claims court - where you can file serially... one case per infraction to get around the dollar limit), it's always interesting when a tenant lies to the judge and denies ever doing something, and only after that do you play the evidence (it's nice that small claims is informal when it comes to evidentiary rules).  

So far for me one big red flag been "does this person play the victim and/or a drama magnet?"