Increase your networking with and marketing to local absentee owners who manage their own properties.

Eric Hassfurther I used to live in DFW and if you buy there just be aware of the Miller property taxes and increased chance of hail damage as well as the common foundation issues.

Or try out the "blue sky" rent increase to earn $200 more per month?

Every little thing you can do to increase your chance of success, you will need to do.

Long story short, I was able to convince my original installer that I deserved a new coil and free installation because this was obviously a manufacturer's error (Lennox lost the suit) and I as a customer should not have to bear the cost of their mistake.

Most of the new builds are going in on tiny lots in packed-in neighborhoods.If you can find a decent size lot (my idea of decent of .4 - .7) that is reasonably priced, and remotely close to anything, and would accommodate a custom home, custom homes are not cheap right now - they really never have been "cheap".

Perhaps you can use your skills as a leg up to look for deals where subdivision or a change in use can increase value.Brian

It would provide a lower mortgage payment increasing your cash flow. 

That is usually determined by “local custom” though.

After rent increases to market rate of course.