Generally speaking they are a better alternative to a residential tenants.

I would like to add as a long time Professional investor, I would like to see you have started your emergency min $2500, living expense funds 6 times your mthly pay check, a work 401k or better yet a Roth Ira, before you jump to investing in real estate or any other alternative investment.

As an alternative, consider a car magnet.

Maybe we'll try to alternate months.

IRS does not allow any disqualified person to conduct business with your retirement plan.An alternative to this can be taking a personal loan form your 401k (it it has this option available).

@Forest Ritchie - don't forget to look for alternative funding sources.

Alternatively, you can just buy a REIT like SBY or the countless others.

Alternatively, you can use the higher cost option of traditional (paid) advertising of your posts until they find somebody else to target.

Good luck, looks like you have a couple of suggestions here offering good alternatives.

My experience has not been good, much more maintenance expenses, turnover and I had to find a property management solution as PFR property management alternative was not working.