I was wondering for checking and maintaining your credit score, is it better to sign up for Experian and Transunion and Equiafx directly, or to just go through a third party like Credit Karma that can handle them all?

Either they didn't want to maintain/fix anything, were too lazy to put sweat equity in, had other interests, or wanted the flexibility of being up and gone.

Plus, help with finding and  maintaining great deals!!!

We both live in Northern Va & the distance is too great for her to own rent & maintain it.

Do you want to work in the real estate business full-time or do you want to pursue another profession while maintaining a porfolio of rentals?

In the long-run, those properties will be easier to maintain, perform better, and be easier to sell when you eventually choose to do so.The only market I can speak with any experience about is Nashua.... not familiar with Lowell, Worcester, Pawtucket, or Providence to lend my opinion on those.  

With rates still low you can pull cash out and still maintain a comfortable monthly payment.

. ** We ask for T24/T36** Income: 1) Rent growth - flat for next 3 yrs and inflation for next 3 yrs 2) Any other misc income increase by 2% aka inflation Operating expense (Big ticket items - Lets assumes its a C property)1) Tax - 85% of purchase price and then 3% - Texas is a non disclosure state 2) Insurance (General Liability and/or flood) (example: Flood insurance in Alvin area is ~20K for 40 Unit complex on top of general liability) 3) Make ready (assume 10 units per year based on 90 unit )~10% vacancy 4) Run and Maintain - based on how much capex you will be spending 5) Management fee (6% for your size) may be a bit lower but for now keep it a bit higher 6) Utilities 7) Professional service (attorney/CPA/Lawn/etc etc) 8) Marketing fee Capex:1) Whatever you think is needed (Check roof, water/sewer line/heating aka boiler/HVAC system/Foundation)

Different states have different requirements, but it also costs money on an annual basis to maintain your license so it depends on what you plan to do with it to determine if it would be a worthy investment. 

We pay a $120 HOA fee monthly and the property management company has done an excellent job maintaining the grounds and the buildings.