You need a calm consistent demeanor and the ability to handle and solve problems and you have to effectively deal with lots of different personalities.

Real estate  can be a lot more consistent and there's room for greater returns depending on what you do to the property, and factoring in appreciation.Considering the time spent landlording/maintaining the property, you have to ask yourself if that time is spent well given the 8.2% CoC return, equity gained, and possible appreciation, compared to the 9.8% return on the S&P.

This will teach you basics of real estate investments and different aspects of it, and give you much needed experience. 

Sometimes a cat or dog is a chill well cared for and awesome addition to the house; other animals can pee everywhere, chew the door and window frames, bark all the time, go bananas and stuff their nose in the crotch of every visitor, or the owner simply will not spring for flea meds or vet visits, leading to problems all housemates can feel.Like many aspects of this, it's a balancing act, and something to be mindful of.While I'm thinking through it, other things to keep in mind include furniture, storage space, parking spaces, and visitors.

@Steven DAmbraWith a reputable consistent lender your going to initially pay until you build a relationship and prove that you consistently hold up your end of the deal.

I have seen it sometimes on realtor.com but wonder if zillow, trulia, redfin or something else is more consistent

Other landlords choose to buy in areas where the rents are consistent and high in relation to the cost of acquisition. 

I think a good strategy may to look for Multi-families close to colleges because you will usually have tenants paying consistently based on financial aid.

Like the healthy 26-year-old mother of three that worked on the side and was paid in cash so she wouldn't lost her benefits that paid $1,175 of her rent on a $1,200 townhouse that none of her friends could afford despite working two jobs, yet she was still consistently late with her $25 portion of the rent, then she got knocked up by the boyfriend living with her unbeknownst to us and HUD, and when I finally managed to catch her and get rid of her, she left $4,000 in damages.

Being consistent and active in the business is key to beginning to gain trust with these individuals.