I guess that is why so many people buy lottery tickets, to have a little nicer car to drive to work....I grew up watching my mom carefully invest in stocks that she held for decades and built a nice portfolio with, I could never understand people who would get a bonus and spend it rather then invest it.  

Also, can I stipulate in the lease that the tenant has to maintain the lawn and shovel the driveway and walkways, or am I required to pay a vendor?

I want to be a part of this market because I know I can offer tenants a well-maintained, up-to-code home.

Generally we raise capital from investors who want a fixed income and have enough meat on the bone to keep all the equity in the deals and push the valuation and also obtain commercial financing where we can get 75-80% LTV financing and still maintain a DSCR of 1.2+2.) 

Even then you would still need to actually go get the license and maintain it.   

So now instead of feeding the hungry stock market you can feed the hungry rental.I have watched people keep big debt on their home and then have the stock market crash.

The chances of you taking $150,000 and turning it into enough passive income to be able to live are as likely as you taking $150,000 and putting it in the stock market and living off the principle. 

Since I’ve been syndicating real estate debt and a few equity deals for 25 years, I’ve made it my business to maintain a constant “overview” of the “product” being offered.  

However, maintaining a good relationship with your previous lender is also valuable.

If they don't maintain a website, you ask them how they update the public with foreclosure statuses.