Are you wanting to build cash flow or are you aiming for just having some RE exposure and appreciation without concern for cash flow?

Some people get into wholesaling, others become an agent or get a job where they can get exposure.

I maximize exposure. 

So ideally you would understand what exposure you face and establish an asset protection strategy that is adequate for you and allows you to invest forward without the fear of something bad happening.P.S.

- are they giving your listing the exposure it deserves?

That could limit your exposure on materials like you mentioned.  

The investor on the loan is who approves the loss so they can make additional requirements even to the existing servicing guidelines before approving a short sale.They want to see it listed for full market exposure to net as much as possible on the short sale.Servicers can actually get sued by investors for not following workout protocols.Generally a small workout for a temporary problem has the least loss followed by a perm loan mod and then a short sale and most damaging a foreclosure.The servicer has to go through steps and document every step of the way that they did everything possible to avoid losses.

Just the exposure to the REI environment --- you can learn a lot by observing and listening.  

Also as each property is in its own LLC, my maximum exposure is only one property.

Know 90 day lease exposure and offer perks to keep them i.e. carpet steaming, ceiling fans, new appliance, etc.