I hope you or someone is at least keeping an eye on your properties for break ins, squatters, roof leaks, temperature control, frozen pipes (if in cold climate), if you have a basement and sump pump goes out leading to water damage etc.I just talked to two investors in California that have let their properties sit vacant (no mortgages so paying property taxes and insurance).

The idea aspiring investors get mesmerized with is basically to start in real estate and somehow build a portfolio out of thin air.

What happens if a tenant causes significant damage?

I as a lender as part of settlement had our servicer unwind some negative reporting.As a sidenote I saw a post online somewhere else where someone who had an owner occupied home for several years relocated for work and teh servicer sent a letter telling them they are not in compliance with their loan because it must be owner occupied for the entirety of the loan even though the loan docs say one year....Again, servicer overstepping their boundsI am going to dig deeper on undoing the credit damage.

Also, consider this copy & paste advice below:Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

They were here for three years, paid a day early, and did very little damage to my place.

One of the biggest challenges of investing in Rustbelt cities is knowing where to invest and properly understanding the cooresponding pros & cons.Here's copy & paste advice we share to help to address this challenge:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

Purchase price: $313,000 Cash invested: $62,600 Vacation Home and Air B&B

Their behavior will not get better, the longer they stay the more damage they will do to your place and erode your rapport with your neighbors.

The lower your price, the worst guests you attract, both in reviewing you and in doing damage to your furnishings.