The tenants first check bounced.

When we bought ours we had to kick out all kinds of problem tenants, but we remodeled them nicely and are very strict on the type of tenants we allow so everyone feels safe and comfortable living there.

Let's get into it:What kind of automation have you used in your rentals?

It helps you find reliable property management partnerships and gives you everything you need to make confident hiring decisions, like:Expert Matching: Match with professionals who meet your criteriaExtra Assurance: Licenses, experience, ratings, reviews, and more that can be cross-checked with BiggerPockets membersBonus Content: Receive an essential interactive workbook: “How to Interview Property Management Companies”

I did a quick search in your general area and found this listing in Lambertville (not right next door for you):https://www.redfin.com/NJ/Lambertville/92-Swan-St-08530/home...Take note that they bought it for $197,000 in January and now have it listed for $499,000 - which might be kind of high, but gives you an idea of what a flip looks like in your area.

If you are looking into Section 8, I recommend you check the Columbus market.

@Michael MaloneyYou could explain that moving into a different unit would not only require first last and security but also a credit and background check.

I think many investors are going around that rule in Baltimore City, so I assume they are doing it in other counties.Not trying to pick on you as you are 110% correct and understand you are just reporting the facts on the ground, just I think the logic about this, about “off market” deals is kind of off, like there are plenty of ways to make money skirting the rules, taking advantage of old people etc, and there are more profitable ways than real estate to do that, at that point your not really a real estate investor, your just someone making money not playing by the rules of your competition and taking advantage of people, which to me shouldn’t be considered “a real estate strategy”

They are all owned free and clear, some they have had since 1986.I check in with them every now and then and try to offer them value. 

Kind of crazy but here is what Chat GPT came up with when I cut and pasted my request ....