I even put the rent in a way to accommodate the headache, and just went back to market-based and eliminated the STR route for two of them.

so you've eliminated a HUGE pool of renters. 

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

You can advertise no pets which will eliminate most people and just deal with the few that do reach out. 

Make sure you have funds set aside for an emergency, if you have personal debt, try to eliminate as much as possible, understand what your personal balance sheet looks like in regards to monthly cash flow and net worth.Investing in real estate is investing in a business, and you need to have a good understanding of your financial picture before you begin to buy a business.I would then focus on what niche you want to start with.  

Others follow the 1% rule, calculating annual maintenance costs at 1% of the property value.Property managementHiring a property manager can help to eliminate the stress of residential real estate investing.

Eliminates shipping costs on big pieces this way.

@Alan Asriants there is no added time or added risk when buying properties that one triple net leases.All the drawbacks you mentioned are eliminated with NNN leasing owned properties.If the interest rate on the loan is low enough in relation to income received, there is no financial point in eliminating leverage, mortgage.

@George BellI think many investors will opt to keep the extra funds and use them for other investments. 

sounds fine as others said screen credit and background check first. you are eliminating a whole lot of guesswork getting a year's rent in advance. why wouldn't you take this?