We rent a nice pool home with indoor and outdoor seating areas so everyone is comfortable.

Lesson learned- never make real estate decisions on an empty stomach. :-)

Did you check the lease they are currently on to see if smoking indoors was prohibited?

It was a great learning experience, but not a money maker. 

Still another is learning to build systems and processes to target the correct personas for the investors you're hoping to find.As your career as a syndicator and deal-maker progresses you should:1. 

It looks to me that houses may be better money makers over condos.

This is a very poor RE path compared to sure investments.If you sacrifice and buy 2 properties less than $200k, live in one and rent the other for a couple of years, then move and rent the one you were living in - you'll have 2 money makers instead of one money loser. 

You'll find Pittsburgh a very affordable market for investors and can be a money maker as long as you know the area.

i got in a company called BLINK as a start up. they are owned by Amazon now. i love my systems they work off of WiFi. the cameras are completely wireless the single AA battery lasts about a year and they have indoor and outdoor versions.  

You can create a rule that says if the indoor temperature reaches “x” degrees, then turn the heat on, AC off, etc.