I also have a roommate, so between the two rental income sources I do cover my full PITI payment and then some.

So that’s the biggest misconception of those shows I feel.

Nowadays I have a roster of probably 30 vendors that I can reach out to (and sometimes I blast through all my options for a particular problem).The biggest challenge is find good handymen for doing low hanging fruit (fix outlets, fix sink, change light fixture, spackle/paint).

If this contractor is known as being reliable, or was referred to you by a reliable source, then you've already taken a load off your shoulders.

Note Investing Sourcing StrategyMy Note Sourcing Strategy that I’ve refined over the years is a simple one.  

Stainless steel, biggest kitchen faucet, shower heads.Granite or quarter counter top are expected to bring in a higher price, flooring.

Our biggest goal is to replace my income, so I can do this full time.

That's where you'll get the biggest supply of deal flow.

The biggest mistakes I have made were when I assumed I was strong enough to overcome the psychological effects of dealing with debt. 

You can get by for now with having the tenants supply their own window units, but the municipalities in NC where my rentals are stipulate landlords must provide a heat source.