Read a book, or even a blog like this one:  Application Screening GuideIf the landlord had called the previous landlord (me) they would have immediately denied her."

Access to Cash Value: A properly structured permanent life insurance policy (like an IUL or whole life) can build cash value that you can borrow against for property acquisitions, renovations, or even as a safety net during market downturns. 2.

from a laptop or mobile phone on one of my SFR's (internet must be hooked up, but most tenants do it anyway and like to be able to monitor the outside of the house remotely, even if there's nothing going on.)

Any tips for how to even get started with collecting?

Charge the tenant for all cleaning and repairs required to return the rental to these same condition as it was given, minus ordinary wear-and-tear.You can't charge full price for a replacement appliance, flooring, or even paint.

Seems simple but almost everyone who posts in these forums about LP or JV investments that go bad can't even verbalize what they invested in. 

A good investor's agent knows when its necessary to request repairs or even concessions to offset the cost and even have repair money escrowed for the buyer to draw from after closing.

Keep building momentum, even if it takes small steps!

Even oil magnate John D.

No one knows, even the people saying they know might not really know.