So don't bend on anything based on your idea that they are good tenants, or have been good tenants.  

And once they get away with saying no to a measly $25 increase - you can bet there will be more demands because you just increased the size of their cojones exponentially by bending to their threats.I speak from experience here.

(the reasons why they want you to bend your rule for them)...You do the nice, smiling but broken record technique on them, "I hear what you're saying and I know you find it frustrating, etc., but that's our policy and we can't make any exceptions."

Or as I like to call it, bend over, get extorted by the tenant, then screw the next landlord down the line.

I will bend over backwards to help someone if they hit a rough patch, but lie to me, steal from me, avoid me...

I helped a client buy a 4-plex in Bend recently and we calculated his monthly out several ways ranging from the simplistic rents from 3 units minus mortgage to the annualized monthly out of pocket including taxes, insurance, repairs/maintenance, MI, reserves, property management (if applicable), etc. 

I'm 45 and married to a great 4th-grade teacher in Gila Bend, Arizona.I'm not afraid of recreating my future and I have my goals and milestones in place. 

Some investors in the beginning factor out that cost to massage the numbers to talk themselves into buying a certain property as they are frustrated finding deals so start bending their underwriting criteria.

In general the people finding those good properties have a marketing engine already running, already own a bunch of properties and are looking in places like: Yelm, Tumwater, Tri-Cities, North Bend, etc...  

As a wholesaler if you don't tell at least 3 lies within your 1st two deal you won't be allowed in the wholesalers club.... j/k :-)Here's my nickel of knowledge: Whether its a little lie, big lie or slight bending of the truth, if you feel it compromises your morals to the point you can't live with yourself then by all means stay clear from it.