And again my experience is on US securities, but my recommendation is absolutely to walk before you run.

@Jonathan Safa absolutely!

I'd venture to say almost 100%, since you have absolutely no control over anything that will impact your success.In all cases, education is in the forefront of importance, but the more education you get with REI, the more control and creative you can get...you can'tsay the same thing about Stocks.I too invest in the stock market...successfully too. 

I live in Edmonds and absolutely love the area!!

The Bigger Pockets book store if full of great books: https://www.biggerpockets.com/store Thank you, absolutely, I really like them!

Ask yourself....any chance a bank would do this......absolutely not.  

That's an absolute overlay.  

I love the BP podcasts and you're absolutely right the information is incredible!

It is the absolute most important responsibility of a landlord and should not be contracted out if you are concerned about cost or results.If you don't want to do it then you should be content to pay whatever the price.

That said, yes, you should absolutely have a lease to address some of the many things you're probably not thinking about right now, including:What repairs is she responsible for vs. you (the landlord)?