@Mike Van Arsdale So, the problem is that you can't get a LOC from a commercial lender unless they are in the first position?

I have a substantial monthly positive cashflow for many of these properties.

I have been wondering if it is worth it as I have heard positive and negative about the results. 

Offer to refund his security deposit , and give a positive reference (assuming he's always paid on time)  and throw maybe $500 more at him in a cash for keys deal.   

Hi @Matthew Groves - start with Zillow, find someone with a lot of positive reviews.

It has been 2 years since i left the military, now attending college for a surgical tech position in the near future.

Our strategy is to buy and hold, benefit from the positive monthly cash flows, and sell after about 5 years of stress free property management.The issue I am having is selecting finishes that are reasonably affordable (dare I say cheap), durable for renters, and still get top $ on an appraisal when we go to refinance. 

Our strategy is to buy and hold, benefit from the positive monthly cash flows, and sell after about 5 years of stress free property management.The issue I am having is selecting finishes that are reasonably affordable (dare I say cheap), durable for renters, and still get top $ on an appraisal when we go to refinance. 

At tax time, I've been applying depreciation to the house; how does this affect my actions or calculations now?

People see where I'm at in life and think I inherited it or just tripped over my position in life.