Having your spouse's support is absolutely critical, otherwise, its a up hill battle all the way. 

I worked in local government for many, many years and know that there can be many layers and getting to the right person is critical.

Just pick one that challenges you and forces you to think critically.

Your "Core 4"(Realtor, Property manager, Contractor, Lender) are all critical to your success. 

@Michael MorenoYou're missing the critical piece which I have to repeat:  "Just be aware that you cannot create a loss.

If your operating cost is high for your LTR, spend some time in the evening to learn how to manage properties on your own and start manage your own properties (trust me, it's not rocket science, professional PMs here will criticize me on this comment).This deal you mentioned does not seem like it's a deal that will get you killed (financially speaking).

Understanding the bifurcation of the returns on a model (money made during hold vs exit) and the sensitivity analysis of what action can cause the greatest impact to the bottom line are critical.

The neighborhood is critical so you're smart not to purchase in an area that isn't safe to live in.

For investors and buyers, this means broader access to global markets and the ability to make informed decisions faster than ever before.Smart Property Management: A New EraTechnology's role in property management has transcended beyond mere convenience, becoming a critical component of operational efficiency and tenant satisfaction.

But on the other side of this coin I have no sympathy for people who move in to units that aren't glowing in radiant splendor perfect, and complain about it.