A friend of mine rented her property near a base and connected with military housing officers at the Family Support Center, which helped secure steady tenants.

Sometimes it can be difficult to collect and some landlords will keep any unpaid utilities out of the security deposit, though CA is one of the trickier states to do this in.

You can always charge an air and surface scrubbing fee from their security deposit after they've moved out. 

Very few allow any subordinate financing below their note but I do have ONE that allows 90% CLTV (they loan 75% and allow you to secure a 15% seller carryback as long as you come in with 10%). 

The seller was motivated to close fast, allowing us to secure the deal and set the stage for a profitable resale.

Cameras, security system, motion lights, cage lock on hvac, etc.They were stolen cause it was vacant and had a for sale sign.   

Also travelled 2 hours to find a security door design I saw in Orange Walk. 

With the income issue, there are screening systems available that verify income by having applicants securely log in to their payroll provider, which then shares their gross and net income with you.

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.

After a few candid conversations, they realized they could negotiate slightly higher rents by offering small improvments..things like better loading dock access or upgrading the security features..turning a so-so cash flow into something much healthier.When you break down your family friend’s situation, it might help to consider these angles:Selling and redeploying capitla could open up opportunities in markets where cash flow is a bit juicier.