Ideally I'd like to meet them face to face, but I pre-screen before I allow them to see it, and then I very thoroughly screen with credit/background/employment verification during the actual application process.  

My goal is to invest in cash-flow rental properties that would ideally pay back for the loan itself, are there loans specifically for this? 

I know it's not ideal but I would work with your current tenants to either A.

@Isaac Rayne  The fact that you are going to lose money right off the bat, is not ideal. 

., lot size) properties that have sold within the last 6 months that are located ideally within a 1/2 mile radius, up to 1 mile if necessary.

It was flipped before we moved in so it would definitely be an ideal property for us to start with.

At $15k, I'd rather have the loss available for a later year, or ideally add it to the capital cost of the house.Thanks again :)

Ideally the RE also appreciates, but value achieved via appreciation is not real simple to access (i.e.

Hello BP familyTo cut the long story short I rented my condo to 3 individuals, 2 of 3 were less than ideal candidates with poor credit score (bad idea!!)

Looking for a multi family ideally.