I have viewed some auction sites, but have read very mixed reviews on whether or not they are reputable.

The answer isn't always yes.Here are some options for you:Do a cash-out refinance on your townhome, use that money as down-payment on a new home. however, if you have an awesome low interest rate you would lose it. 

The PM has limited funds for operations, and if sued, little to lose - you can close it and open another PM LLC.Yes, in a lawsuit, you, the Holding entity and the PM LLC and all might be named, but if properly structured and maintained, a lawyer could easily take you and the Holding LLC out of the lawsuit on the premise that you were not involved.

It (literally) pays for you to put rules & processes in place so that you can work with them when they have a TEMPORARY financial emergency without losing moneySection 8 probably skews the rules for dealing with low income tenants because keeping the voucher is probably a motivator.

Hello, just recently found this site and saw a few videos etc.

Have you done a member search on this site for a local attorney @Stan R.?

You can do a member search on this site to find some local agents who can guide you with REO properties. 

There are quite a bit of 3rd party sites and agencies that will list your property for short term for a percentage/referral fee which will be helpful as you get started. 

If you take them to court, you're 100% going to lose the spot because it wasn't a legal rental to start out with... which would probably cost you more then the extra 50/mo...

If you're going to lose 2 or 3 hours of timezone when you fly to your EST property, it's an all day affair.