My experience in Massachusetts, where it took nearly a year to evict a non-paying tenant, has made me more selective about the locations I invest in.I am looking forward to learning and sharing insights with this community! 

Nice situation where talking to a neighbor resulted in the purchase of a house! 

I have dealt with many fallen trees in several states and the law always had said that the owner of the tree is not liable for where it fell.

A duplex where I live and the duplex that was offered to me.

I encourage you to interview property managers to determine what their approach looks like when managing properties for an investor who does not reside in the market where the property is located. 

Where are you three located? 

Where would you find a good mentor to fund the emd and down.

For comparison purposes, I hold ownership units in a LLC that owns a retail/service center where there is a mortgage loan that initially represented 50% of value, now about 35%.  

That's where good people live, and good people make good tenants.But before you put money down on a house, I would find a quality property manager.

This is the first time I have done something like this, where it was for other reasons besides not paying rent.