Also, @Jonathan Orr had some good ideas with property shark and compstak, but compstack is limited to certain geographical areas.

One of the requirements to satisfy the closing was doing an oil tank sweep.

The beauty of good cash flowing rentals though is that if markets tank you just continue to sit back and collect rent. 

Septic tanks get pumped annually.

Then the economy tanks.

The equity comment is true though as it is almost impossible these days to offer equity while at the same time offering a home in retail condition with new roof, HVAC, hot water tank, etc.

I spend a lot of time in the ocean and pay little to no attention to the many sharks lurking below the surface.  

I went off " Of course utilities are included , we pay all your electric , pay per view cable , I restock your refrigerator and food once a week , I wash and fold your laundry , and i will even fill up your gas tank every week . " There was a short bit of silence ...............

This was a fish tank that got moved in and woops, the tank sprang a leak in the move. 

If the market tanks, you hold onto it and keep collecting rent.