If you pay off your mortgage you are saving 3 maybe 4 percent so in effect investing money at 3 maybe 4 percent. 

I want to be clear - I DO plan on getting a protective order first before I move forward so it is in effect during eviction.

Sounds odd until you do some research into effectiveness of low budget and hours in getting deals.  

When you do this, it effectively just moves you further along on the amortization schedule.  

@Adam Piercethe most cost effective way to get into real estate investing could very well be the owner-occupied fourplex purchase using an FHA loan.  

There is no easy or cost effective (or time effective) way to make your landlord perform (rent to you).  

It was only recently, when listening to the audio book "The Compound Effect" did I truly grasp how much I required immediate gratification. 

Easy and cost effective, this is best for an attorney to draft and record.

The best protection of assets is to not have any assets to protect, and/or not engage in risky activity. 

On the outside of the envelope will be a paper that says something to the effect of "If you refer someone to me to rent a house, I will pay you a commission of 1/2 of the second weeks rent."