Best bet: connect with local investors/lenders/brokers to narrow your focus (what type of asset, what sub-market of the metroplex).

Until then, I consider the application incomplete.Think of this as a $100 lesson.There are also plenty of online background/credit check services where you can set up the request to the applicant and they pay right there online, so nothing out of your pocket.

The area is growing and I anticipate rents going up as well as house prices, i don't want to bet on this but it does give me some comfort that equity will increase over the next few years.  

I would bet that the owner works more than 20 hours a week.  

Hence, it's taking longer for bigger developers to bring their juicy projects online. 

But I don't know him at all, and there is very little info online about that company.Your help/suggestions/warnings are appreciated!

Her half would go to her heirs and yours would go to you.Possibly put it in a trust and you could be joint administrators of the trust....best bet is to probably consult a real estate attorney in your area.

I did a similar project to yours last year and it cost me 6.5k to put in a 4 zone system+ vents into bathrooms.Price out your system online, find installers willing to quote you a labor only price.

As a small scale investor, I would argue the safest bet for the Mom & Pop investors like us is the standard single family rental property.

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.