@Nicklaus McCain first, at this point of the market environment please keep in mind that rent increase may not be possible in the next 3-6 or even 2 months.There is a wide range of ways you can reduce expenses apart from the ones you mentioned above.One of the easiest ways is to shop around for better quotes for Insurance and contract services.

Saying 'no' to pets will drastically reduce your candidate pool, so you might shop for a pet-friendly house (hard floors, securely fenced yard).Even if you're cool with pets, you should meet the specific pets and have a good long talk with the candidate on that animal's temperament and quirks prior to agreeing to lease to them.

You rented here because it was close to your job, bars, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, etc.

1) The landlord who also uses this money to pay their mortgage, car, food, shopping, etc it's recycled into the economy. 2) The mortgage servicers, these guys are like an insurance company for investors (your 401K, retirement funds, etc) so when the investor buys mortgages servicers guarantee payment of principal and interest, stop the payment they have to continue to pay this to the investors so they end up having no liquidity to recycle the money into the system.

At least with a warranty plan, you do not waste time price shopping or getting gauge by contractors.Small Team:  Ideally you have your go-to contractors. 

But what are shopping places that have had confirmed cases doing?

Here's one that AAOA (American Apartment Owners Assn) partners with: https://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/solutions/rent-collection/It's a flat fee service - and generally once the tenant finds out "it's on his permanent record," it gets paid.Hope this helps; sorry you're having to deal with this in the first place.

I have had an MLO license for a few years now and I have been thinking about getting my real estate license.I would like to set up a small shop my goal is to originate my real estate buyers?

Never underestimate Americans desire to super size.

Yes, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, LAX, Rams, Beaches, Expensive Shopping, etc., are all too close with traffic nightmares.