Lower monthly payments increases purchasing power, which in turn, puts upward pressure on prices.  

I have been perusing the BP forums and blogs for some time and will definitely continue to look here for tools, tips, and tricks. 

5 properties is pretty ambitious, but if you can do it more power to you.  

Con: They reduce my monthly cash flow (6 - 10%)Manage it myself:Pro: My cash flow is increased (at expense of time)Pro: Online tools make it easier for me to remotely manageCon: Time-consuming, especially during the leasing processHow to find a good property manager / leasing agentI go online and get reviews and quotes (Yelp, Thumbtack)I ask for 3 referrals or reach out to those people (note: I also ask tenants, since I want to make sure my tenants are happy and treated well)I ask what online tools and processes they use (for example, if they don't have an option to collect rent online ... then they seem pretty inefficient to me) I ask about transparency -- will they provide me with the background check, lease agreements, etc.?

However, I obviously have many more tools and information available to me as a Realtor.

I am trying to grow my understanding of the different "tools" available to investors.

@Samson KimaniWelcome.Maybe in the City/Town tax assessors report under Tools in the MLS

Super easy as long as the trustee has full powers. 

There are pros and cons to each tool.

@Joshua WomackI totally agree with @Mindy Jensenabout the power of cash in getting deals.