It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish, if you want but and hold, I would take into consideration total package that comes along with it...maintaining the home.Nevertheless when you take in the ability to leverage OPM then you can acquire more assets servicing multiple loans versus all your money into one asset.I personally prefer to invest in Notes secured by real estate, because I get the same returns if not better AND I don't have to deal with tenants, toilets or trash...food for thought.

I am hear to answer any question you may have about repairing or maintaining your rental property.

I strive to educate myself every day, learn from my mistakes, surround myself with passionate, like minded, and ambitious individuals, maintain a spirit of optimism, and most importantly have fun living out the dream while doing my part to drive humanity forward.

I see my only option as sending her a letter explaining she must maintain the house and yard and hope she complies.

I have built and remodeled houses throughout my life and am good getting renters and maintaining.

When you give a tenant something in good and working order they should maintain it in that condition or bear at least the first $100 of the expense to repair it.

Also think about the big island of Hawaii.. there you have NO heating systems for cooling systems to maintain.. and you can buy nice rentals out of HIlo for under 100k.. talk about cheap to own and maintain and maximizing your ROI.

Also agree with maintaining liquidity ... at 1st blush, when things are going well, it looks foolish to keep a bunch of cash on hand, but when you have a hiccup or the market turns then cash is king.

When I do my walk through, if the place is well maintained I don't bother them again.  

I do not have much experience beyond purchasing my primary residence and helping my girlfriend rent/maintain her old house.