If you go this route, it's critical to perform proper due diligence on the borrower, the property and ensure you have equitable collateral. 

Once I reach a point of critical mass where I can no longer do that while keeping my job, it is time to make the switch.  

It's critical to know the amount needed to bring it current in order to bring it out of preforeclosure stage as well. 

Networking is so very critical in order to get past the gatekeepers up here.

Analyzing deals is a lot of fun and is critical in getting the right deal. 

It's critical to me that I be able to have access to my books whenever I want, so I want any virtual service to have the ability to export the data to my Quickbooks desktop program.  

Therefore, a critical location selection metric is that rents and prices are rising faster than inflation.

Working with a good lender that is familiar with investment properties is critical as is connecting with a real estate professional that is able to analyze property, present real numbers and project possible income. 

The first 90 days are critical to establishing your authority over these tenants.

I have also worked in the financial services industry so this would be critical for me to get my credit back so I can work in that field again.