Reduce your risk.

I work in the petrochemical and energy industry but I would like to start investing in real estate.

When you sell a property your proceeds at closing generally will be 8-10% below the sale price due to 5-6% realtor commission, settling escrow accounts, county deed recording fees, etc.At 80% LTV you can get the mortgage insurance payment dropped, you open up the possibility of other non-FHA and non-owner occupied financing, you give yourself a cushion to sell if needed, and you reduce the possibility of being upside down if values pull back.  

., worth the time and energy?

There's no need to waste time and energy trying to train a problem tenant.

@Mo MuigaiWhy even waste your energy if you haven't take the step in getting the property under contract.

It's nice that this manager offers a pretty reduced-fee for a longer-term, but in my experience the tenants tend to break those long leases.

Having additional cash on hand reduces risk and does not increase the risk.Good luck

In light of the importance of directing your energy to getting a new tenant in right now, it seems like something you shouldn't focus on.

Perhaps with the extra time, you may find something wrong that you can use to reduce the price.You may be in a better place than you think you are.