Now that he's out 15k plus interest he's done being patient, but too nice to pursue it.

I am not really understanding what that means so I appreciate if someone can explain it to me patiently.

This is conservative planning, but it empowers us to be patient.

I highly recommend (1) checking Google reviews and (2) asking for DATA to back advertised claims (ex: average turnaround time to close a work order, average tenant satisfaction score, etc.). 

Extremely low vacancy rates, very low turnover, maximized rent trough improvements, create high resident satisfaction etc - all add up to a critical advantage over a 10 year period.I feel lucky that have landed in a market which had both cash flow and appreciation over the last decade. 

And I think the new standard is the third party check without providing SS # independent landlords.Did you verify the self employment and the income to your satisfaction?

Just be patient , it will be the moment where it will work for you and your wife.

I've started doing background checks on people I hire because a) I intend on using them often in the future and if they have a shady past I should know about it and b) I'm inviting these people onto my property, doing business and if something doesn't turn out to my satisfaction, I don't want to get shanked.

All that to say, I'm continuing to be patient until I find something I truly think is worth while.

What if the work is not to your satisfaction, or not completed?