If your foundation is weak, you are going to get slaughtered during the next down turn.

They will all have different strengths and weaknesses. 

Unless your lease addresses this item specifically, you have a weak argument to make.Overall, I would say that if you only spent a few hours, a few bucks in light bulbs and batteries, and paint touch ups (all from your original post) after the tenant lived there 18 months, you did ok.There are different strategies regarding security deposits.

I’ve a chronic house hacker.

It doesn't matter how good your property is - if you have one weak link in the chain, it can lead to failure.

He is trying to bluff a weak hand.

he says and i quote. you will have a severe correctionwhen you have at least 30% OF MLS listings as short sales or OREO foreclosures.. we are a long way from that.then the other thing is so many probably millions of Americans locked in 3 to 4 % long term money .. and payments are cheaper than rent. if payments are less than rent why would they walk.. also the loans of the last 8 to 9 years are not NIJA loans.. or liar loans or whatever you want to call themI was at seminar a few weeks ago here in Vegas.. and there was some talk of weakness for those that bought larger MF or commercial with 5 year calls .. and the talk was if and when interest rises and rents being the same cap rates go up. which causes values to go down so the whole premise of refinancing out can be threatened.. at least thats what was being talked about.. not my area of expertise at all.However thanks for the kind words and dont forget about aheroshome.org  

I really need some advice, I am a new landlord and I have been renting my home out since September of last year. My tenant was doing so good up until about 4 months ago now she is constantly late and always has an exc...

They have mistaken my kindness for weakness.

Check the leases.Are they weak and did the landlord give concessions (free rent,reduced rent,low to no deposit to move them in).Do you see a pattern for the area of reducing rents??