I have decided that I need to acquire at least 1-2 units per year and gradually build up - and eventually will have equity to deploy into other investments.

So you can have all the legal documentation in the world, and still the lower court judges will rule against you.As you climb the ladder of courts, going up to appeals court and state supreme court, the rule o law holds more weight. 

If he is a long term, no problem tenant, I would gradually increase his rent over time and by that i mean years.

Perhaps my denied request the prior year also added weight to the intent portion of my request the following year. 

Does one out weight the other? 

Would they hold any weight?

In gambling, the house takes a cut, and thus the "weighted average expected outcome" is negative.

A good LOCAL property manager is worth his weight in gold (unless he's heavy set lol).

I will put most weight on my test ads as this gets me a window into the actual renters.Thanks,Matt

any advice for someone who wants to invest gradually, without risking a large figure from the beginning?