In claims the squeaky wheel gets the grease......you can squeak for yourself don't hire a PA.

It's those maniacs that buy homes cash via quit claim deed off of craigslist that really get screwed.Make sure your property manager is a licensed real estate brokerage.Understand you can not eliminate all risk, only mitigate it.

Those claim they have lots of inventory but have little to show I avoid them.

Also you can inexpensively go to small claims court and at least try to get your $1600 back. 

@Noah JonesThere are several heat-pump options - both ductless and centrally ducted - which function down to -25C (-13F) and a couple which claim to operate to -30C (-22F).  

I see a holistic strategy of blending your investment funding from 1) QRPs and you 2) regular liquidity.

Small yard I want a nice place with my own bathroom and regular appliances. 

I can not think of any instances (well, except for if you are on the unwilling receiving end of an eminent domain claim I guess) where improvements to the immediate surrounding of your Investments hurts overall returns. 

When you deal with mental cases you simply be carful, never enter alone, make protecting your property a priority and take them to small claims court once she is out.

Would it be wiser to simply take what I normally contribute to 401 and keep in a regular savings account that I can access without a penalty so that if I find a property I like I can invest without the hassle?