The analysis also reports that new multifamily development will “remain near the average recorded over the past five years”.Integra Realty Resources’ 2017 Commercial Real Estate Trends Report ranks Pittsburgh #2 on its Top Markets by Multifamily Transaction Volume Based on YoY Change.Pittsburgh’s rental vacancy rate has declined by 25% over the last five years.Pittsburgh is booming with developments (see reference #6), “there is no better place to be a developer right now than in Pittsburgh.

Quote from @Shiloh Lundahl: @Chris Clothier Here is a competitive analysis of the differenced between the turnkey option and the lease option partnership that I referred to on the other post.

I checked the Better Business Bureau for complaints, I checked the NJ State Attorney General consumer division to ensure he was licensed, I checked every reference he gave by visiting sites and speaking with the homeowners. 

Also:_________________________________________________________________________Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

This not only refers to lay people; attorneys also can invest with no research.  

Avoiding the occupants from squatting is best addressed with background checks, employment verifications, and references before signing the lease.

I love a risk if it means a reward. we’d love to buy a rental in our future home state but recognize the complexities of that.

This is a touchy subject.If you observed specific concerning behaviors during interactions, such as rudeness, aggression, or disrespect for property, these could potentially be valid reasons for rejection if documented properly.You should add one very important things to do on your checklist, past landlord references and it must be legit and find out why they aren't there any longer.

Hey Jessie --what other passive RE models are you referring to?

@Elias Halvorson the poster actually lives in another country.The pinned Cleveland, OH reference is just what they entered based upon this post:)