Lot's of people like to bang the gong of cash-flow, but reality is cash-flow is a mechanism of sustainability of operations, not some big profit center. yes, some like to twist it to be, via various function of neglect.

Mechanics lien? 

that describes the medium or the mechanism of the true underlying investing action. 

Despite being remote, I felt confined to my desk every day with little mobility, and the heavy emphasis on commission made it a rollercoaster experience.During a recent trip to the States (I'm Canadian), I had a realization.

Properties, for novices, which look good on paper and have good cash flow usually come with C to D+ areas, risky tenants, and a lot of cap ex that you can't see on the internet (basements, roofs, water issues, outdated mechanicals).You are turning a terrible loss into a springboard which is great, but you are trying to move too quickly it sounds like.

Unless you have a very high maintenance tenant or tons of old plumbing/mechanicals you can do really well by having an 'emergency list' of really good handymen, plumbers, hvac tech, etc.

Does Avail.co have a mechanism for holding security deposits?

., we have had a broken window (the locking mechanism), someone busted up the queen futon frame, someone took the waffle maker, beach towels go missing all the time, TV remotes gone, etc.People like to put stuff in places they think they should be.

Mechanicals are in good shapeARV: $280k-$300k~$74kish left on the mortgage - 6.75% interest about $890 monthly payment / HOA ~$200 a month / Insurance $35 a month / Taxes $355 per month / Tenant pays Water, Gas Heat. 

Attention new investors: As I’ve immersed myself in the BiggerPockets forums, I’ve observed an extreme emphasis placed on asset protection by those entering the business but their approach and where they decide to allocate their time and resources is misplaced.