@Michael Bishay you're mistaken if you think buying S8 rentals will make your portfolio easier to manage and more profitable.You're just trading one set of problems for another.But, you probably won't heed this advice:(So, yes, seeing if/how any Class C tenant has trashed their current home, will give you an idea of if/how they will trash yours is a great screening tool.We've been doing this for almnost 2 decades.The COVID mainstreaming of Zoom has made it so much easier!

Congrats on taking the first step! 

I'm thinking of buying my first out of state rental.

You probably don't have a second mortgage otherwise the second bank would have discovered the first mortgages (perhaps what happened here?).

I would say First and last month's rent, plus a matching security deposit that is equal to the rent.  

I bought our first property in 2019 and Ali and I met shortly after in 2020.

Hi everyone, I recently purchased my first house in Baltimore, MD.

what’s the best way to use OPM to buy my first house to rent out?

@Kevin Del Valle, first you don't mention the type of neighborhood or the zoning there.

I think it's the first thing to ask for (after just extending the closing).