Best,Rebeccaps - @Scott Trench - thanks for encouraging newbies like me to introduce ourselves on this forum! 

Late payments, property damage, and evictions are avoidable when you have a PM who knows how to find reliable renters.I encourage you to seek out a property management company that emphasizes tenant screening and uses modern tools for verification.

I would highly encourage paying a GC to walk deals out the gate, have them give a scope of work so you can see what items costs.

  - Outside of that, I'd encourage you to visit cities you are considering investing, and get on the ground even for a weekend. 

-Julio Thanks for the encouragement!

The masterminds often encourage students to finance the new-car like entrance fees on a credit card, on the promise of just a single deal covering all the entrance costs. 

We feel this encourages/trains good payment behavior:)We have several MoveIn Specials owners can approve like, free TV, Washer or Dryer (used), etc.Our main goal with MoveIn Specials is to stand out from our competition. - Just lowering the rent really doesn't do that.

Many of the recipients are single mothers who actually want to find stable housing for themselves and their children so initially they are looking for the best house they can find and it is only when time is running out and their voucher is expiring (Yes that is a thing) that they begin lowering their standards and will settle for a cheaply put together home. 

When you meet someone doing what you want to do and is very encouraging about the possibilities, it really makes you think and ask yourself, "what are you waiting for?".

I would encourage you to do a deeper dig on the financials and take your own skill inventory in making this important wealth impacting decision.