I feel pretty well educated, but it feels like the overwhelm and fear is the biggest obstacle in my way of getting my first property. 

My biggest advice would be to not get stuck in the education phase.

@Renee Lindgren what’s the biggest “sunken cost” on a rental, vacancy (unpaid rent) and bad tenants who over stay their welcome.California puts you at a higher risk for both of those with the laws making it difficult to get a tenant out in any decent amount of time.

This will be your biggest ally when it comes to looking at deals and helping you find a property that fits the strategy you're after. #4 Practice using a rental calculator to calculate your numbers.

This is way oversimplified, but the way I look at things like this is to break it out and see what's the best value for my situation.The biggest upside to renting is freedom.

Was one of your biggest struggles starting out when you first started? 

The biggest mistake you can make is spending a lot of money on an apartment rehab when the market isn't even demanding it.

My biggest concern about entering into this field is exactly how to start.. 

I owned 200 houses in Memphis and it was the biggest real estate buying mistake I've ever made.

If there is one thing you have learned from selecting/screening tenants in Ontario, what has been your biggest takeaway?