For example, if she can't visit the property, is she good at record keeping (so everything is organized at tax time) or finding vendors, comparing product prices, finding free or low cost items on Facebook marketplace to improve the rental)3. emergency fund.

There will be moments when challenges feel insurmountable—deals that fall apart, difficult contractors, financial struggles—but the only way to succeed is to persevere.

Quote from @Michael Smythe: We're far from perfect, so our 2 cents should be taken lightly.Most of the national companies are setting up franchises and the challenge is with the individual franchisees.

This ensures you lock in better terms based on the improved cash flow.

People even do this in Vancouver though it must be extremely challenging.  

That loan will cost you around $800/month for 30 years.I think this improves things, and your only loss would be the cost of the equity loan and the payments you've made so far on your IRA and credit cards. 

If you do, you should expect a very aggressive challenge by the IRS.At $350K of combined value it might be worth the cost to get a segregation study if you intend to keep these a long time.

This is due to bonus depreciation which allows taxpayers to deduct 40% of qualifying property costs in the first year, in addition to regular depreciation for new construction and improvement.

Major metros pose certain challenges, as everyone has heard. 

But at current prices and interest rates, this will be very challenging unless you go to cheaper areas or nearby suburbs that are cheaper.