This is largely aided by gov-mint guarantees and a distortion of the cost of money such that it is more attractive to the average consumer than small bank debtAgain...there is plenty of blame to go around from all parties to these transactions, but absent government intervention and distortion of the free market there would be no crisis.

Someone (probably ex tenant) kicked in 4 of the interior doors, two big holes in the walls, cherry kool aid stains on carpet, dead lawn, cut some wires in the walls, NEVER cleaned the kitchen and looks like used lard to cook everything, the cooktop looks like a couple of "smallish fires" may have happened and the (original, 1979) oven has NEVER BEEN CLEANED, oh and to top it off we have a family of THREE SKUNKS LIVING IN THE CRAWL SPACE.And of course I no longer live 6 miles from this place, I live 950 miles away.I just spent 1 1/2 weeks working on it, about 30 "contractor size" garbage bags, 5 gallons of paint, a million small things that you always run into.Anyway I found a "craigslist" cooktop and wall oven for pretty cheap, my wife helped a lot, even though she hates RE investing and my neighbor has been a godsend because the trash service only picks up the rolling dumpster, NOTHING ELSE, so he has hauled the other stuff to the dumpster at his work.I'm heading back to TX to hit the kitchen, exterior paint, front yard and finish the interior paint (oil base on the trim).

Go to fanniemae.com or any other government sponsored enterprises (GSE) to find info on the new criteria.

I am NOT looking to become an real estate broker in the traditional form; this is MORE so a tool to have in furthering my knowledge, aiding in bringing down some cost when purchasing, and networking. 

Using a stock index may help aid your decision.

HELLO MY NAME IS CARLOS BURGOS WITH SOUTHERN HOMES ENTERPRISE, WE ARE NEW AT INVESTING BUT GREAT AT HOME STAGING AND REMODELING, THANKS FOR HAVING US

This will help not just for rental losses but for Financial aid as well.You want to realize that losses are limited by $0.50 for every dollar of income over $100k.

Trulia.com is also a good aid as it will sometimes give you info on specific demographics like crime which can contribute to higher or lower rental prices.

Just after I drank the kool aid on buying a Guru's program.

@Brian Mathews don't forget there are things Community Legal Services and Legal Aid where they can get some free legal assistance.