To deter the break-ins you need to have window coverings on all the windows, a light on and not advertise that the unit is vacant.

I've never advertised for money, I don't mass market. 

The common thought is to not rent to friends or family.

So, why is McDonalds still spending billions on advertising?

As a Mexican real estate agent living in Canada and with a presence in the United States, one of the most common questions I hear in the investor community is: "Can foreigners buy real estate in Mexico?"

I believe in this so strongly that I have even once confronted a large advertising client about this issue when I discovered they had language to this effect in their terms of use in the past, and asked them to change their policy, at risk of material revenue loss to our company.

Quote from @Erick Pena: A "good" rental property is one that covers all expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management fees, and any other costs) and still leave a surplus (commonly referred to as cash flow).Calculate cash flow as: Cash Flow = Rental Income − Operating Expenses − DebtThere's much more to it, but that's the basic idea.

I recommend you include some of your key qualification criteria in the advertisement.

And I know that a refinance would be the best, and most common, way to go. 

Common sources of such properties include:Foreclosures: Homes that have been repossessed by banks due to non-payment.Distressed Properties: Homes that are in poor condition and need a lot of work.Auctions: Properties sold at auction for below market value.Off-market Deals: Properties that aren't listed on the MLS but are available for sale through direct outreach or networking.The key is to buy a property at a price low enough to ensure that even after renovations, the home will appraise for a higher value.2.