BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

You may need to resubmit things several times, have a hard time getting ahold of them, and there is a very high chance they blow your deal up last minute, but at least you have the opportunity to get the best rate! 

I highly recommend.  

I believe the one benefits most besides the politicians are those low quality tenants that are hard on units, pay late, rough on the neighbors, etc.

It's not an effective strategy but a lot of investors believe throwing in high end appliances in itself secures a buyer. 

But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

I'd say the amount of time for the labor seems high.

You also need UX, support, quality, a million other things.

This is where you can significantly increase the value of the property by making improvements that attract quality tenants and justify a higher rental price.

and you will have many many applicants assuming the quality of the rental and the rents requested.