If you don't plan to do this you should, again IMHO, be VERY up front with the prospective seller that you have no intention of actually buying the house.  

Not making rounds to collect cash rent, not being in the house while prospective tenants are, pepper spray, maybe I'm just overly concerned about not putting myself in potential harms way.Your tagging doesn't seem to be working.  

Armed with those basic tools, you can begin looking at real estate prospects in the market your interested in to best position yourself down the road. 

If truth be told I would have considered a pet from a terrific prospective tenant if asked.

Just put a prospective property on the investment calculator.

And if prices decline, investors may lose a chunk of principal for good.Despite the risks, investors worried about pricey stocks and meager bond yields can be lured by the prospect of a steady income stream and average annual returns that could range from 5% to 15%, if things go well.Don't go overboard.

That doesn't mean to ignore appreciation, but you need to optimize for one outcome!

You are asking for trouble both in terms of making the current tenant mad and them staying longer and the prospective tenants interacting with the current tenant.

What was the outcome?

What was the outcome?