It seems many of you do this frequently, but it looks like an area where one could really be taken advantage of if you don't know what to do.  

Mr money mustache, I believe @brandon turner has frequented that blog

There are several companies that will cost you for the first time and will give your home  frequent visits to check whether the infestation is completely gone or still it is returning.

First I try to get as many comps as I can, eliminating the ones that don't match the home's characteristics.

You will probably make less money per hour of labor with me, but in exchange you get repeating income from a frequent buyer.They all told me the appreciated the warning.

I frequently reach out to the listing agents with simple, easy to answer questions.

I've read a couple of more recent studies which indicated 10-minute duration and 0.62 miles respectively as distances "walkers" would frequently travel ... these studies also indicated an even smaller percentage of the population that would walk.Here's a short article on walking distances in the context of multi-modal transit.

to all the following characteristics of being a successful landlord?

If so, can you sell beer (in NJ you can't)How frequent is the inventory coming?

You cannot control bad tenants any more than I can control low appreciation, but we both can screen for the characteristics that we are looking for to increase the odds that we will get what we desire.