Yes, the emotional drain is a bigger problem for me than the $1,700, but it just seems unfair to let them walk without a fight.

We had a tenant who lost her job so we gave her 2 weeks free rent because she had been a good tenant and was communicating with us.  

The best advice I can give is to set specific goals and communicate them.

REI is a different mind set...we are not emotionally attached to the house and looking for the perfect whatever like a person that was looking for a house they will be living in.

Never rush into a deal and never buy an investment property base on emotions or gut feelings.  

Lessons learned:As a newbie, understand that your emotions may betray you, and you may get excited about REI at the exact wrong time. 

It did take a moment for me to get my direction and be able to communicate my initiatives.The agent that I began with, I am still utilizing services from as I found that initial "training", so to speak, for both of us had already rooted itself in what could be a good partnership. 

I was emotionally drained after sitting with him for that long..

I agree with that too - lots of communication and updates are important to giving people a sense of control.I hadn't thought as much about the backup sources.

Yep - made a totally emotional decision.