The total amount of damage is close to $18k, which far exceeds their security deposit.We sent an Invoice and broke down all the damages by line item and even gave them receipts for what we had and also estimates for the major items like damages to carpet (brand new and installed just prior to their tenancy) and major gouges and deep scratches in all major rooms (we have pictures of everything). 

. $20 for business cards from Vistaprint then I taught them a simple script to use with their friends and workmates along the lines of: "I'm looking for houses to buy, if you know anybody wanting to sell please give them this card or get their number and let me contact them.

It’s likely a scam, or a bunch of “trade lines” at vendors.  

Borrower doesn't have to sign on the dotted line.

My wife and I have been planning our first flip for months now, learning the basics of the planning phases, finding a Contractor, lining up my real estate agent, researching materials, etc.

But if you roll your equity into your home, it's alternative cost will the your new mortgage %%.So, this way your $195Kwill be working with your new mortgage rate while it could be paid off by your tenants and get sold when market is very high again.Tenants usually complains about everyday problems: A/C doesn't work, toilet clogged, facet is not working.All these cracks etc - it's the owners problem and Tenants seldom worry about that.Bottom line: I'd use $195K in investment property if it gives you more return than new current mortgage rate.But you have to factor PM even if your wife does it for free.If the ROI is less than the rate - sell it and pay less in your mortgage.ps I think using leverage will get you to your goal quicker than paying off all mortgages....but each their own

That way your mortgage stays the same, but you have some liquidity in the form of a line of credit, for when you find a property.

@Andy MirzaThe ERISA plan asset rules may come into play if pension funds are used unless the funds main line of business is the development of real estate (REOC), or the fund is a publicly traded company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.To qualify as a REOC the fund must invest at minimum 50% of its assets in qualifying real estate considered managed or being developed.

You can outsource marketing (any agent will list it), accounting (any CPA) but without relationship with Tenants you'll have constant problems.Such companies exist - they take phone calls 24/7 and then transfer them to PM to coordinate contractors.If you don't care about your bottom line, you can hire such a company: they will call to the most expensive plumber co, electric co, etc - you pay the money, they fix the problem.Fixing toilet would take you 10 min plus driving, they will call the plumbing company which takes $200 just to diagnose the issue (im not kidding - I've had such thing).

@Rick C.I have used a product called Temprid.