By taking away this very useful information, the landlords will be more cautious on other factors like credit and income, as you and @Jeff B. suggest.But I predict we will see more well-intentioned social and legal efforts in this field in the near future.  

Fat number.I have seen people drive 10 miles to get 20 cents off a gallon of gas but get home to a huge For Sale sign on their yard for which they are paying 6% commission (or 20% of their equity to a Realtor).BP members are here to make money and if that means making a little effort to sell a property on their own ... just list it with a Flat Fee MLS listing company ... 

If it makes money, analyse your risk and costs, make your decision.I have dealt with drug dealers, you simply determine if it is worth the effort based on the potential returns.

establish an end goal(s), set up your efforts towards reaching those goals

Secondly, where serious efforts are required, tenants will not get permits and way down the road, you'll pay for that with inspection violations and delays in attempting to sell. 

So we decided to pay him $1000 for the time and effort he had put in.  

Sean Brooks,First off, I am really appreciated for your time and effort to answer all my questions regarding the real estate career.

hi mark, i was thinking of just flipping it. its a small 2 bedroom which would not bring in much for a rental i think, and rental is not really my game. it is in an area that i know is currently in a revitalization effort by the city. the director of development has told me that they are putting in a mini mall with a major grochery chain store involved. also, they have already started to put in 48 new houses in the immediate area as part of that revitalization effort too. admittedly, this house is in an area that has deteriorated over the last 20 years, it does have a multi unit " projects" housing very close by and has gone from largely black area to more arab residents. the street that this house sits on has about 10 new habitat for humanity houses already built and inhabited also. its an area that is up and coming, but is only in process. if i get it, i will let you know, mark

It would take some more effort but you will get so much more out of that experience.  

I'm finding some now and emailing them.I was wondering if it would make sense to create a rough draft lease with clauses that I want in advance, or if that's a waste of time and effort and I should have them do the whole lease.