Need more than trust and hand shake mentality.

I'm in touch with realtors, wholesalers, "people on the ground" driving for dollars, and I myself spend time in Wichita talking with other investors and landlords but it's very much an "in" mentality.

Good, because that mental image is about as close as you'll ever be to getting your back rent.Just get rid of the tenant, put him into collections if that makes you feel better (don't hold your breath on collecting anything), and learn your lesson.

As you ask questions, you also want to make a judgement (mentally) on the response you are hearing.

@Dennis M. thank you for the confidence boost.

If the numbers work and you've already mentally prepared for chance of future floods, keep pushing forward.

Cmon guys, it’s so common to have this type of turnover during these years and medical (including mental health) things often come up with young adults.

Note: Principal paydown on your next investment property can boost that return % if you choose to include it. 

Leverage is fine and dandy (especially when others pay it for you), but you need to mentally walk-through all scenarios and ensure you have an answer for all angles of Murphy's Law. 

And thinking of building of a portfolio rather than simply owning a single property at all times is a newer mentality for us, but I think one that would ultimately pay off more in the long run.