Section 8 can be successful and to be successful, multiple is better so you learn and perfect the system for the area, but it can be very hard from afar and very labor intensive on the landlord side.

Thanks for the insights, @Joe Homs.

Joe - thanks ...let me do some research for you ....what is  your email address ?

@Joe Fish maintenance is the most opaque part of PMC services.Most PMC's charge by the hour for maintenance handled by their internal staff OR they charge owners via their own invoices - which hides the actual costs.When hiring outside contractors, most PMCs add a markup - that again they often hide by billing owners via their own invoices.

Thirty years ago, it cost me $600 in labor and parts to replace a 50-gallon hot water tank, currently $1,500 and often they only last 6 to 8 years. 

Quote from @Joe Sowels: Rental arbitrage to expand my Airbnb business. 

How much would it cost for material and labor for a 985 square-foot house?

Thanks for clarifying, sounds like you are trading labor for equity.  

‘Jobs week’ delivered conflicting trendsFirst, the JOLTs survey (Job Openings and Labor Turnover) showed that job openings rose to 8.1 million in May.

The contractor is required to provide a 1 year warranty on labor and materials but replacement contractors are difficult to find because they have to warranty all the work ... even from the OG contractor.