You will need to work on your listening skills....example: I own a duplex in a heavy drug area on the cusp of heavy gentrification.

If they are drug addicts i would expect they would jump at some decent cash to fuel their habit. 

I would get a job in real estate that you have interest or curiosity: property management, appraiser, receptionist/administrative work at a real estate broker, construction/trades.

First define the area- are there drug dealers running up to cars (been there with a multifamily that I loaned money to a friend)? 

My guests have to take a drug screen. 

In this phone call I ask the "pre-screening" questions that I feel are relevant and get a feel for their truthfulness in the responses based upon what I have found on Facebook.On occasion I find information on Facebook that could be concerning in regards to potential drug usage and gang activity.

For 3 of my properties in the same neighborhood, my property manager is the HOA administrator too. 

@Michael Dumler I am hoping to graduate in May with a degree in Business administration.

Landlords who increase the rent above the annual rent adjustment maximum and/or more than once every 12 months are subject to administrative penalties up to $25,000.

I've had great tenants and I've had a couple that fell in the last category-one who had been along term renter and then something happened in her personal life (guessing drugs) and she quickly stopped paying rent and left the place a mess.While the costs can be high for first time renters, for seasoned renters when they move out of their last place, they should get all of their deposit back if they left it in good condition, so the outlay of money is a short term thing (ie 1 month).