Granted, your exit strategy might be to sell at five years, refinance and get cash out for the next chess piece in your empire, or just to let it ride for ten years and pay it off.

Understand the landlord policy and be clear about what's covered (wind/hail/water etc.).

It has nothing to do with avoiding work.That's like saying that driving a car is LAZY, and one should only ride horses and buggies as they did 100 years ago.Technology is here, and there are PLENTY of ways to stay connected to your tenants, including birthday cards, Gift Cards for when they pay early each month, Xmas cards, etc.Don't cut off the nose, to spite the face.

I also ride by, stop in and check on the vacnt property at various times during the day.

By the way I disagree with the people who recommend that you only eat rice and beans, make your own cloths and shoes, sell your car and ride a bike 50 miles both ways to work each day to save on gas.

@Nicholas Moran Be ready for a wild ride.

I have momentum now I just need to ride it to the next one which I am already in the process of looking/offering! 

@Rich Hupper There is no such thing as a free ride.

I’d like to house hack and I have a small family along for the ride, so safety is a concern.

I only live 15 miles and a ferry ride from the border.