If I have no mortgage the cash flow is more secure.

You are not responsible for his failure to secure his personal property.

This not only secures your cash flow but could also turn a problematic tenant into a reliable one. 

Texas tends to favor landlords in these cases, but follow the legal process exactly—any misstep could delay things.As for protecting against retaliation or property damage, installing security cameras (if you haven’t already) to monitor common areas might be worth it.

Quote from @Jeff Adolphe: @Kevin Collins How long does it typically take you to secure a house with REI?

He even tells us not to do business with seniors on Social Security or with newbies, but he has no qualms of ripping me off on Social Security and a newbie!

Screening tenants well and then a security deposit or credit card hold process in place will limit liability.

In our experience/opinion (factoring in security deposit to defer some of the losses):Class A - 0%Class B - 5%Class C - 10%Class D - good luckHope this all helps!

Look for undervalued properties.Network: Connect with local real estate agents, contractors, and other investors for insights and deals.Analyze Properties: Use the 1% rule to evaluate potential properties (monthly rent should be at least 1% of the total investment).Secure Financing: Explore different financing options like conventional loans, hard money loans, or private lenders.As for timing, if you can handle the extra responsibility, starting now could give you a head start.

We buy at a discount and pledge our legal right to collect the debt (a collateral assignment agreement) as the collateral for the private capital loan we take out, which is backed by the value of the real estate securing the 1st loan.