Of course she knows what she is doing as most sociopaths do.By the third time police were called to the property they realized she is a nut case too.

I just happen to think that there are a lot if people who throw around the terms and want to use and apply it like a kid with a new tool.If I had a wrench for every nut that told me they think they should try AP on some vacant property I'd have a lot of nuts.

Some will listen to the tenants sob stories while some will be nuts and bolts to the point.  

It's the price to be paid for "saving" (read: not spending) money: own it without a business entity structure and manage it yourself in return for the dangers of nut-case tenants and more.No one ever built wealth by not spending.The only way to build wealth is by investing for income.

Don't go too nuts on "i want this first deal to be perfect so that is set ups everything from this point on the right way.

She deferred to her mom to clean up the mess, who went nuts confusing reality and the stories her daughter conjured.

Nothing major - a fun-colored pot, dish towels, a bowl of colorful fruit and flowers in the kitchen; a shower curtain and towels in the bathroom; etc.

As soon as they folks realize you are going to withhold some or all of their deposit, they are going to go nuts.  

Fourth, add a few decorative touches to make the home more appealing: Place a flower pot full of marigolds or brightly colored welcome mat by the front door; Set a colorful bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter; Install some decorative shelving on bathroom wall; Paint one of the walls in the living or family room an accent color that harmonizes with the rest of the room.Fifth, learn to live with and accept what that renter does with YOUR house.

If you have a mastermind that does offer soup to nuts development exposure and resources and it's a field you're passionate about (it takes stamina as the average life cycle of a project is 2-3 years) then by all means make the investment.