EDUCATE Yourself ongoing~Tune into Podcast, Webinar's, Read Books & Articles about real estate to enhance your knowledge. 4.

Does it enhance or otherwise alter your perception?

I don't want to hijack this topic but this Cash-Flow vs Appreciation debate , buta) does have proponents for the other side of the coin.b) cash-flow comes monthly if you bought wellc) appreciations is gradual, annual if at all and can not be guaranteedSo both opinions are presented to the OP and let's not rewrite War & Peace over it.

I'm sure your investors would at least break even (or see a small return) even if you charged market rate PM fees, so you're not actually reliant on new business to fund prior investors' returns, but merely to enhance those returns.

"Your Peace of mind, My priority"

My stuff is all in a peaceful rural environment near smaller towns, but within an hour of a large city. 

You may pay more but in my opinion the peace of mind is worth it. 

But it was low cost way to keep the peace and even added to the desirability of the two yard units (that I can ask a slight premium for, 50-100 bucks/ mo in my area).

Many things can happen; the more you prepare for in advance, the greater your peace of mind.The more of these processes you can get in place before your first deal, the better.

Additionally, I've was out driving for dollars today in Dekalb/Sycamore and timed my drive from Peace Rd/I88 to my exit at Maple/I355 and took 30 minutes.