Under no circumstance should you just wait for her to leave. if she is leaving soon, make sure you understand the laws surrounding returning security deposits as well.

Although prices have been going up for a solid 2 years, the returns are still very good.

I think returns can, for the most part be universal....However, expected returns will differ even between states so I'd guess that's probably where most of the differences will come in to play....Also, the laws of the country you're investing in.Many books are more focused towards mindset. 

It isn’t very often you find someone “real” who will take the time to brainstorm ideas based on his/her experience to further a goal, without asking anything in return which is what AJ did for me.

Taxes are really the killer for rental investments in the area though where most properties that are undervalued get purchased by homeowners looking for fixer uppers and outbid most rental investors unless your willing to sacrifice your returns a bit to have a rental in this quality of an area. 

She left to sleep at a friend’s house, and when she returned in the morning, her front door was broken into and evidence of fireworks was left in my yard on the grass.

So, since it would appear that I am going to have to take a pay cut regardless of what I do, I figured it's time to look into a career change.I want to get into RE as I think it ties well with my analytical nature and I have an interest in building wealth above and beyond stock market returns. 

Have any checks/funds been returned for NSF?   

Also, I've calculated the cash-on-cash return for buying a property with cash for 65% of market value, and I can make the same return if I finance a purchase buying at 80% of market value. 

-Gross Monthly Operating Income3,291.75 Monthly Operating ExpensesProperty Management Fees347.00 Repairs and Maintenance200.00 Real Estate Taxes250.00 Rental Property Insurance298.81 Homeowners/Property Association FeesReplacement Reserve50.00 Utilities150.00 AdvertisingMonthly Operating Expenses1,295.81 Net Operating Income (NOI)Total Annual Operating Income39,501.00 Total Annual Operating Expense15,549.72 Annual Net Operating Income23,951.28 Capitalization Rate and ValuationDesired Capitalization Rate8.00%Property Valuation (Offer Price)299,391.00 Actual Purchase Price167,500.00 Actual Capitalization Rate14.30%Loan InformationDown Payment33,500.00 Loan Amount167,500.00 Acquisition Costs and Loan Fees6,000.00 Length of Mortgage (years)15 Annual Interest Rate6.690%Initial Investment6,000.00 Monthly Mortgage Payment (PI)1,476.66 Annual Interest11,002.25 Annual Principal6,717.63 Total Annual Debt Service17,719.88 Cash Flow and ROITotal Monthly Cash Flow (before taxes)519.28 Total Annual Cash Flow (before taxes)6,231.40 Cash on Cash Return (ROI)103.86%