What motivated you and what were your first steps to dive in and not let fear or lack of knowledge stop you from making progress. 

@Scotty Wo nothing in your story shows motivation on your end:(Mom gave you a houseYou have crappy creditYou spend more than you make with $30k in debt, despite having little monthly housing costsYou have no savingsHow will you rent out your house when it needs a new roof and water heater?

In their favor:As homeowners and landlords they should be more reasonable and take better care of the place.Steady income with SSI and willing to hustle when they need more.They are motivated to make it work, offering more and reasonable concessions.If there is no carpet there would be less impact by dog or bed bugs, if either go worst case scenario.Not in their favor:They may be renting as a temporary situation until they can find where they really want to live long term, so they may not be a long term tenant.They are not familiar with the neighborhood, other than school district quality, so they may not be a long term tenant.What I would look at more:How long have they all lived at previous addresses?

I also think, I may need a better realtor, the one I use doesn't seem motivated enough.

His strategy for contacting motivated sellers for land deals is intriguing.

It's hard starting out to stay motivated when nothing seems to work. 

While I have the time, financial resources and motivation, I lack experience in this niche.

Motivation always comes from inside, you can't make people feel motivated.

@Jonathan Greene recently posted a fantastic "Do's and Don'ts" guide for newcomers on the Forums.I, too, am looking to join a motivated local investing group that specializes in buy & hold and multifamily, and I hope to see you at one of the local meetups soon!

I have a young daughter and a growing family and my priorities have shifted to the degree that I have motivation now to finally take some action.