I live in the beautiful city of Carmel, IN. I'm originally from Ecuador and lived in Los Angeles before.
I am a software developer and I have a passion for computers. However, my team was let go about five months ago...

[AND] You are caught off guard by this...There are owners in here who would not be at all caught off guard by this--because they understand their renters.Now you want to "Go Toe to Toe" with these people you seem to have very little understanding of as a front line Manager.That's all I have to say.Maybe other's can get more in to the meat and bones of the problems--I'm just addressing it globally. 

Who would want to to waste that researching the basics...not I that's for sure.

@John Nachtigall to be clear, the company  you are referring to above is not ERentpayment, but the company they outsourced to to collect the funds, called something like eCheckit?

If you can get $1600 a month as is, how much would a smart renovation 1) increase what you could collect in rent, and 2) provide force appreciation (equity) to to the home? 

Check in your local laws, probably have to to licensed, carry insuranced/bonded.  

Thank you to to BP members that showed up to help me network.

It turned out to to be the perfect fit for me to continue to learn as much as possible and even get into investing myself. 

HOWEVERPRO TIP #2- The Home Depot does offer a competitor match 5% mover coupon to compete with lowes if you provide your lowes card.PRO TIP #3- They also offer a military 10% However the 10% Should not be applied to business purchases as it is aimed toward retired military do it yourself customers.PRO TIP #4- PRO XTRA, This is a program to to track purchases, Get electronic receipts/customer agreements, pro extra reloadable card and also a chance at pro extra paint rewards.PRO TIP #5- Pro xtra paint rewards.

I am not sure of where or who to go to to learn more about this avenue of Real Estate investing.I was at a seminar this past weekend and Tax Lien Buyers Club was featured I came very close to joining them, and now not so much, Thanks for all the great advise!