Small claims court is your best bet.Try to be a nuisance to them by calling them everyday as often as possible,pass out flyers to the tenants advising them of the lawsuit so they know who to complain to personally,etc.Force them to throw up their hands and give up the lousy $500.00.

Eventually I want to learn everything I possibly can to make income in real estate.

I would prefer to master using other people's money whenever possible.

Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Tuesday he would introduce legislation in the next session of Congress to fix our rigged tax system and close loopholes Donald Trump used to possibly avoid paying federal income taxes for nearly two decades.

Excited to learn everything I can in regards to the multiple strategies in real estate investing... especially the possibility of little to no investments using my own money!  

Leverage your cash by using a Hard or Private Money Lender (Other Peoples Money) for the initial purchase (and rehab if possible). 

I just recently finished rich dad poor dad and I loved it and opened my eyes, now I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible and trying to get a 4plex to start off.

Otherwise that is another possible one you can check out as it does include the criminal and eviction search.

I would make sure your expenses are as close to actuate as possible.  

Duplexes and fourplexes are possible though.