I started communicating with them via text messages (they don’t seem to read emails) 4 months in advance about the rent increase and they assured the increase was fine and they wanted to stay.

It seems like it would be such an easy way to screen tenants.

While it is not required, it seems like an easy gesture of goodwill. 

It actually seems to be a great concept...I plan to give it a try.

If you find someone that seems to know a lot of people needing your services, wouldn’t it make sense to focus more resources on them?

Whether it's starting something new project or flipping houses, I'm interested.Flipping has its pros and cons, it seems like a fast way to make money.

And if I pick up a few more rentals with the equity I’ve got, 30k/month net seems doable and might be enough to retire on.

Bergen County has mostly sf homes and the towns I work in seem to have low inventory in multifamily, making the 2 and 3 unit properties relatively more costly. 

This is a 4 unit property and luckily the damage seems to be contained to the one unit and no tenants were harmed.

The loan we were applying for is an FHA, which stipulates we must provide a signed lease for our half of the duplex (to be newly rented out) but for the other half which the parents "own" (in reality all three are equally owners of the entire property.) we would need to provide proof of rental income on our tax return, however her parents claimed that so we seem to be SOL.The mortgage is covered, we can rent it out no problem, but the underwriter is saying on paper it looks like she is responsible for the whole duplex and the rent for half of it is unreportable.