Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.Since you didn't mention a specific REI area of interest, I added the below links for three of the most popular niches for your review and selection of one to focus on and add others later.Additionally, since you mentioned that retirement is within sight, I added a short #AskBP podcast 030 for you to listen to as well.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/05/2...https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/glossary/https://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Old practices use to be that said companies use to go in and literally Clear Cut select areas both hard and soft woods .

If you have already decided to go contemporary with paint, fireplace design, tile selection, and cabinets you are going to be stuck with a room that doesn't fit.

But if you have three amazing candidates and one wiling to pay it, then go for that one.I'm not sure how the supply / demand is within your area at this moments, but this gives you more qualified demand to select a qualified tenant. 

Property tab > select property type > detailed property types > multi family 10 units plusMaking ^ that change gave me much better data to work from. 

I've lived in the same buildings as tenants and it always made me more selective of who my neighbors would be.It's best to either have a little know how to have some cash for when needed repairs arise.  

There are plenty of renters here in Texas so you would loose no time to vacancy selecting a different tenant to oocupy the property.

Your time here will be well spent.Since you didn't mention a REI area of interest, I added the below links for your review and selection of one of the three most popular niches so that you can pick one to focus on.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/glossary/https://www.biggerpockets.com/webinarhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Lower is only possible if you are living in the house and than only with VERY select loans (USDA, VA, FHA, etc).Sorry good luck! 

The more I read, the more I began to understand that this investing thing is not something a select few were privileged to, rather, investing was something we should all partake in, if not for ourselves, but for future generations to come.