Too many newbies seem to think they can blindly follow "old" advice in today's real estate market and be successful.Many, basically get taken advantage of by those in the industry that have an incentive to keep newbies blind to new realties, just to keep their good times rolling.What many newbies have figured out is that they can't make the numbers work on rental purchases in their states - like California, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Washington, etc.What they have NOT figured out is that if they go to cheaper markets, they aren't being shown Class A rentals to buy.

PM's will keep all late fees, they hold the security deposits so they collect all the interest on security deposits. 

I'll keep you all posted on how things go.

Keep track of 3 buckets.1) Owner occupied portion - potential deductions for schedule A2) Tenant occupied portion - potential deductions for schedule E3) Jointly occupied portion - likely prorated for both schedules.There are nuances to this, so I recommend looking for a tax pro who can coach you on this. 

Would a cash-out refinance to free up equity and keep growing be a smart move, or should I focus on paying down my existing debts?

the electronic keypad locks so don't have to deal with keysbut keep in mind batteries need to be changed like once a year

Please remember to keep copies for your records.

I believe interest is tax-deductible if used for property improvements or purchases, and it gives you quick access to funds while keeping your stock portfolio intact.Private Money Loan: If you have a trusted partner and terms that work well for both parties, this could be an efficient solution without tapping into your other assets.

Keeping clean records from day one really helps when tax season rolls around.

Please keep those posts in the Classifieds forum.Need a spreadsheet or form?