Folks tend to use the term in conversation hoping it helps give them creditability or for whatever other reason they think is of merit.

They tend to add up.Plumbing costs can also add up especially if they need to bust through concrete in a basement to assess a problem - I would get your plumber out there (and the electrician for that matter) before you proceed on anything and get the costs more nailed down.  

But much of what you see on this board is probably not the REIT type holdings...This community tends to be more small landlords and smaller scale investors... but all kinds chime in..I have blog up on the Classics of Landlord Lit for some ideas on the scale (and most should be free in your library). 

I'm not that familiar with that entire area as I zip through there on my way to locals in the north of the state and I don't tend to stop and look around in between here and say, Yuba or somewhere along the Trinity River.

I also think that Appfolio tends be more for when you have a larger number of units (e.g. 100 and up).  

She should probably put aside $1k per month on less risky investments, THEN she can jump into more riskier stuff.It makes me cringe when so called "financial advisors" tell the exact same advise to everyone, without delving into it further.That said, I am definitely not risk averse and tend to like "riskier" investments, do to a healthy dose of reading and practicing stoicism.

Lastly, the "estate agents" play very little part in the process...they do not tend to show houses, but act as a handshake to introduce sellers with buyers, and to introduce buyers with lenders. 

The margins tend to be larger on non-owner occupied but there are few deals as well.Having said all of that,1) Keep mailing.

I also find it can be a way a small operator can outcompete the mega apartment corp (which tend to be blanket "no" on pets, which I understand if you get hundreds of units it may be hard to track the pets and even a small number of barkers or not so well house trained could cause havoc)..

Haha, I won't disagree with you @Jaysen Medhurst, my ears tend to perk up for a good conspiracy theory!