No offense, but if you don't know what constitutes a good deal, you should probably be removing a few zeros from your price point to start out.Then check out this article:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/06/30...Then start reading everything on this site having to do with rentals, and that should help.

Rusty, no offense, but I laughed that you read those two books and are ready to go buy something. 

@Shelly Forte no offense taken here!

Joe- Thank you for your feedback; it was tough work to get some stability in my family's finances, I feel good where we are, its now to turn on the "offense".  

No offense, but I think you need to do more research about the "area" you want to invest in. 

If you're using him on vacant property then there is little chance for him to repeat the offense.  

And besides maybe it might be a better eye opener to what people think about this or have encountered this.I do not mean to make it offensive or anything rude.

The platforms like AirBNB and VRBO will deliver the bookings, but if you don't manage it correctly, you will quickly get bad reviews, which means lower rates and worse guests.No offense but why didn't you ask the question "how the heck do long distance owners remotely set up their houses for short term rentals" before you put a property under contract?

The agent opens themselves up to a potential $16,000 fine for a first offense from HUD by doing so, and that does not include any potential civil or local liability.

Also, your estranged wife did not legally "trespass" as she is co-owner, and even without giving notice it's not a criminal offense for her to be there.I get it, have been divorced (more then once) myself plus decades of call like this on ABC (you pick subject) and it all boils down to the same thing.