I've lived here for about 8 years running, I'd be more than happy to give recommendations for whatever you may be looking for including food, fun, real estate, entrepreneurship, etc.

A small percentage gets their own food versus being waited on.

Food for thought you can always get good tenants, that will stay when they move in at a little below market value, it is a headache to move for the tenant, so you can adjust your rent each year to get back to market in small increments. 

The primary economic driver here is food packing, produce distribution, and farming. 

It may be tempting to organize a team of volunteers to help her get things cleaned up, but I did that once and it didn't work because she thought we were throwing away her wonderful treasures (not used fast food wrappers).

I don't know as I don't get into tenant landlord issues at that level... all I know is if i saw someone staking a dog to a pole on a rope or chain and sitting in the sun or out in the backyard with no food or water.. they would be gone..

Food for thought: Let's assume the damages caused by the tenant exceed the amount held as the security deposit; in such an instance, where would the money to perform repairs come from, or do you just forego having repairs done in that case?

Alante,First of all; Congratulations in taking that first step forward.

With that said, consider that you make $2,600/mo and live at home, meaning you can save a good portion of your paycheck since you don't pay rent and probably get a break on food cost too.

I have $10k in personal Cash that I have set away - but I do have $300k in equity in my home therefore I feel comfortable in taking out a HELOC of up to $150k to buy a property. $10k may seem like chump change but thats when I was looking at single family homes in the $30k-40k range.