Rent to own has gotten a bad reputation in some circles since the renter/buyers rarely wind up acquiring the property.

You can start with a combination of Zillow, Trulia, Rentometer, etc.

Over-complication is rarely the answer.

I feel that skill set and a track record of success in that is far more rare (and thus valuable) than someone who has money to write a check.

Appraisal and approval is done and deal is firm..A pre approval is as good as cash in most properties in Toronto area..I had a few properties in Chicago and Indiana where the deal collapsed 14 days before closing because of financing.. that rarely happens where I am from.. 

@Chris BernardNo especially if you live in Dallas or other big overpriced city.Unless you can combine the two into a house hack project.

An informal rule of thumb I've found is that if two months rent is greater than property tax and insurance combined, the numbers usually work well.A couple random expenses I've had from my two properties since April (after tenant moved in):Central air issue, broken screen on screen door, lack of hot water in shower, clogged drain from toiletI'd be careful in renting to a friend. 

I like to use an LLC combined with insurance.My legal background has been heavily based on insurance coverage and bad faith lawsuits.

Rarely is their use of a property that can over come the surrounding neighborhood. 

If I have 1-2 tenants, I require the combined income to be 3x the rent.