And then you'd be surprised how much more you enjoy your day job without having that fear.One other thing I'd mention though.

If you leave the remainder in the account for surprises you’re investing will reach its first plateau.

I walk right up (you'd be surprised how receptive people are, often they've had a couple beers) and start chatting.

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:@Julian Buick  99% of folks send letters or post cards they are just like RE yellow letters with stock verbiage that is virtually the same from each person trying to buy them.. the stuff you learn at eddie speed or bodiford those kind of guys.I was pleasantly surprised at the last batch of note marketing I received.  

However we had some surprises, as usual, along the way.Property specs prior: 3 Bed, 1 bath, 1200 Square feet with an illegal abortion of an addition for another 300 sqft. 

hi rafeal. i have a number of different ways to find the owners, usually they are free  also. first, find the house, then check with the local tax assessors office. they may have a new address for the owner. second, county websites often list the owner. most often, it will list the owner as living in the house, which we know is not the case. then, if you get the owners name, check the website for any other houses he or she may own in the area. chances are they live in one of the other houses. if they do not own any other houses, run their names on whitepages.com. you might be surprised with what you come up with. as a last resort, i knock  on neighbors doors around the house. its amazing what neighbors know. 

I'm sure there will be capital expenditures and vacancies and other surprises that eat into that but for the sake of argument, let's say $400 a month cash flow is attainable, which it definitely is.

I don't have much experience so don't be surprised if I ask a bunch of dumb questions.

To my surprise, they said yes immediately.

I was surprised by the amount of properties that weren't cleaned.