Tenants can also make online payments via the portal, it's pretty convenient.

I am surprised that you were able to find something like that for that price.  

I'm surprised no one has mentioned how cheap money is to finance a car.

Another things you might do before you start investing is to find an office that it is convenient and haS a minimal of distractions.  

My wife is narrowly focused on Issaquah area, for school district, convenience, and easy access.

Read all the highly recommended  books, bought the Carlton Sheets, attended a rich dad seminar (surprisingly no Kiyosaki), a couple of flavor of the year gurus, joined a local REIA for two years, Listened to podcast on BP.

All 4 are rented currently at surprisingly high rates considering the condition of the property.

Not surprising the landlord is going to say you are on the hook indefinitely doesn't mean it is true.

The convenience to you of not chasing your money cuts against you when you want to boot someone for non-payment and you dont have a better nail (some other lease breach) to hang them from. 

I was surprised at how developed it was now and how many big Apartment complexes had been built.