If you buy a regular deal with a regular down payment in a regular neighborhood, you'll probably lose money in the short term and be cash flow negative. 

This allows flippers, live-in flippers and regular joes to have another route for their financial or home owner goals.

Is there any particular maintenance that is required in a regular basis?

I would regularly update your photos to reflect seasonal changes or recent upgrades, ensuring they are high-quality and well-lit.

If you obtain letters of interest, you can exercise your option.

We as Architects do this regularly.

It might be a good training exercise at least running the numbers on some of the properties on the list. 

You need to have it fully stocked so people can cook while they are there and I tell you it is very important.You need to setup regular services for the hard systems like furnace, AC etc to keep them in top condition.

Or just do a regular purchase and rent?

So, let's say "Johnny Slip-n-Fall" goes to attorney to file claim suite on the client exercising strategy I know.