Knowing the territory and developing relationships are essential to finding investment opportunities.

Exception is managing your own property, or hired by, for example, a developer to show only their units.If they are not licensed, you could tell them you will report them to the Department of State (or whatever agency licenses Real Estate agents/brokers in your state) if they don't give you a full accounting of funds and all the paperwork involved--lease, records, etc.Your attorney could also subpoena them to appear in court during the eviction hearing if they don't turn over the documents and accounting. 

@Daniel Pitta In my opinion Background checks are the number one best way to vet a prospective tenant.Many things fall under background checks like calling their employer and previous landlords.Also I know some PM's that like to sneak and peak in their car and see if is junky, if so they is likely how they will treat your property.Also these same people will find an excuse to stop by their current residence and look in the door for the same reason.W-2 paycheck verification.No evictions in last 5 years.Tenants make 3x the rent.If they can't come up with all move in money don't rent to them.They ones that beg and plead for you to rent to them you should run from.Make sure they have stable employment - same job or in same field for 2 years or longer.Get a larger deposit than 1 months rent to encourage them to give you proper notice when they move and that they don't try and use deposit as rent when they move out and that they also leave your property in good condition.

While I'm certainly hoping to buy for the cash flow, not for the appreciation, this home is a couple blocks from the beach, as well as one of the hottest towns in Maui - a town that has no room for further development, but has people moving here every single day.

It is very easy for those who sell convenience to develop a deep sense of contempt for those who buy convenience.

You get long term finance and if one renter goes out you still could possibly have cash flow to pay the note.Another option is to buy a house in stage zero of a new home development where homes are just going up.

I had rents go down at 2 of my units because of development in the area.

Located not to far from a new developing neighborhood.Owner is asking for $189,000.

I know of forest bluff and Austin colony developments by DR Horton in Austin that will give me that kind of rent, but since I have already bought one in Austin I don’t want to put too many eggs in one basket.I liked one new townhome construction by DR Horton in Durham within my price range but are not offering the phase 1 to investors.

I am looking for a SECURE, reasonably-priced (preferably free) site that allows prospective tenants to fill out an application online and then have the completed application emailed directly to me (or give me online access to the information)?