You need to understand the market, advertise to buyers, show it in the best light, know what to say and what not to say, be skilled at negotiation, understand contracts, and much more.If you don't know how valuable a good agent can be, it's because you've never used one, or they made it look easy because they are skilled. 

Purchase price: $280,000 Cash invested: $7,000 Light rehab, rent, and 30 month balloon to refinance.

yup sure worked for bud light. 

I've read a few guides about turning the main on gradually, going fixture to fixture one at a time, etc.

No foreclosure or court action required.3.You might also consider depending on where it is, no electrical or lighted signs if that might be a consideration to you. 

Finding the fixtures you want installed at the hardware store and pricing them is a must.

The biggest mistake new investors make is to walk a property, maybe explain in general terms what they want and then let the contractor come up with the SoW.For a bedroom this could be:- replace carpet- repair closet dooror- remove carpet- remove curtains, nails and screws- replace closet doors, entry door SKU#- replace window SKU#- refinish hardwood floors 144 sqft, clear/oil-based- prep and paint all woodwork- patch walls, texture, paint walls eggshell white clay, ceiling flat white- replace light fixture SKU#, replace lightswitch w decora/white, replace 3 outlets&covers- install blinds SKU#Obviously, the cost would be quite different.

However, I'm now reading Dave Meyer's book Start With Strategy to learn more about whether long-term residential rentals is even the best approach or if I should be looking into other strategies, in light of my overall goal.After Start With Strategy I plan to read Set For Life by Scott Trench, but what other recommendations do you guys have at the strategic level?

Brush a little bit how do you handle brush usually with prescribed burns.. the issues are houses on mountains and I suspect there is a good amount of people that planted Euculyptus trees years ago those things are just like light a roman candle.. and 60 to 100 mile an hour winds..

I recently learned they are being sued because one property they managed one of the people touring it, trashed the place and stolen everything including light fixture/faucets.