This takes a lot more time but is so much more rewarding now that I am in control of the VAs and the outcomes in my business.

STRs typically represent a higher/risk reward.

If possible, include in your welcome kit the location of a drop off laundromat (they wash, dry and fold for a fee).Make life easy for your residents, and you will be rewarded. :)

Like @Alan Asriants and @Matthew Paul said location, location, location, an area during the day and night are very different things in Philadelphia.While the cashflow might be great, the greater the risk the greater the reward, but there are still plenty of other areas where you can get 200-400/month without being near the largest open air drug market on the east coast.

Syndications are naturally a higher risk asset class so you should be getting rewarded for taking that risk by getting more return than the stock market.

The criminal justice system is insanely unfair and if you do give someone a break who has had a tough time, they may reward you with loyalty.

You should look at it from business cycle and cap rate cycle , I could send you some charts when it ks more safer to invest at syndication….The risk when market at cap rate 4 compare to when market is at cap rate 6 is vastly different , you may want to wait until cap rates are stabilizing enough before investing so your risk / reward ratio is way higher.also you need dig deeper into supply/demand in the apt market as we are now on highest supply where there is strong pressure to rent growth.

The hard path is the one least traveled and most rewarding.

If it were free and easy, everyone would be doing it and the competition would keep you from participating.If you aren't willing to invest some money, time, and effort into the hard things, you aren't going to reap the rewards.

Real estate is often a long-term game, and while there may be challenges along the way, the rewards can be substantial.