We were fortunate to ride a hot market to increase profit and its vital to keep a pulse on that but without a little creativity we could have easily accepted the 'no' after the initial offer and moved along with life.

Previous owners painted walls with a nice layer of nicotine.

This is the first layer of absurdity.   

We used to be able to go to the Bureau of Vital Statistic and get birth and death certificates.

I liked it because it had a nice cushion layer on the bottom, was thick, and flexible.

Holding a property too long adds a layer of risk - things will start to break and have wear/tear the longer you hold it. 

Since you'll be doing some research to compile a list of people to call, this could be an extra layer of long-term team & relationship building, if you will be hiring professional property management for your portfolio.I chose this model when I was seeking these members for my team and have loved the trustworthy relationships that have been built from it.

This structure provides multiple layers of legal protection. 

Second, take a look at your screening process and find a way to add another layer.  

As a seasoned investor and a real estate agentI think it is vital to have your license.I started out with my real estate license and it gave me a look into the buying side of real estate.