John is absolutely right.

I am - specifically - in the greater Sacramento area and would love for at least one branch to be local but willing to interview others.I've wanted to do this for over a month now and I've finally got the brain power to take this on.HUGE Thank You to @Jimmy Moncreif for his absolutely outstanding BP Podcast (#055).Appreciate the recommendations folks!

If they plan on staying two more years, at some point you will absolutely have to raise the rents or you will be leaving way too much money on the table, and since REI is a business, you need to capture the profit available to you.Even if these tenants don't "like" the rent increase, keep in mind in order for them to find comparable housing in the same area, they will have to pay the market rent anyway - PLUS moving expenses, etc.

I absolutely do not rent to people with any of the dogs on the insurance list.

I have an absolutly awesome real estate agent who I am also thinking about working with.

The absolute worst that can happen is that I don't complete the challenge in 90 days.

For buy and hold management is absolutely key.And even more so for multis.

-We then approached the last 2 unit holders and asked if they wished to sell. 1 of the 2 needed to get out so we picked that unit up via a short-sale (86% owners)- The last remaining unit holder paid all cash for his condo in 2007 and really wanted to stay there long-term vs. taking a bath on the saleNow in the lovely state of Arizona we could have or still could effectively force the remaining unit holder into selling at fair market price and he would have absolutely zero vote in the matter.

Scott is absolutely right, there is no one answer to your question(s).

Absolutely true.