HUD has issued new guidance in January tightening requirements for tenants who claim ESA status for their animals.

Hi Sam,This is a great goal to shoot for and I see no reason why you couldn't hit it in ten years as long as you keep your eye on the prize and do not get discouraged or distracted.The trick will be tightening your goal as you start with your first property and then get a feel for what it's like to run a rental.I started with a goal of ten duplexes in 10 years and attained it after 5 years.

With a very small set, you can tighten a screw or whatever.

Another guy called about a loose doorknob, and after I explain the screws he has to tighten, explained he doesn't own any screw drivers.

I have zero experience with evictions.If all else checks out, I may pursue the short term lease with automatic renewal idea and tighten up my lease language as much as possible to guard against whatever situations I can think of.  

Alternatively, maybe you could get her to a point of understanding that real estate investment is necessary to fight off the future financial strain of buying your three kids cars and tutors as well as setting up a college investment fund - i.e.

I feel that the relationship is strained to a point where he feels it necessary to call me and complain about things that are not hurting the property at all, temporary things like me leaving building materials (old windows) next to the house out of site to the street to haul to the dump in a week or so.

I wonder if as you review your initial screening process you might find some holes that you want to tighten up for future screening.  

I know it does not sound much better but trust me the added stress of having a problem tenant in your property and the mental strain is way worse then just having it sit vacant.

If you are easily manipulated now, it's nearly impossible to tighten things up later.