Before I continue, I would like to give some background about myself.

They do: Vacant House Owner Location, Skip Tracing, Tenant Screening and Background Checks.

Coming form a W2 (9-5 job) background doesn't exactly lend itself to understanding this principal.I wanted to try and start this string to hear some peoples stories of growing form a W2 income based person to a business owner and what allowed that to happen.To kick it off, a little over 2 years ago my wife and I started pursuing RE aggressively and this pursuit is what lead us to where we are today.

In other words, if the credit/background check is $40, I want to set my application fee at $80, & have the additional $40 (less processing fees) go to me.  

I have been in construction and worked on homes all throughout my life and have a good background to help manage the property.What I would like to know and where I don't have experience is on the financing side, I have read typically 20-25% is required for a down payment on an investment property which I can provide.

In similar fashion, if you invest in Class A apartment buildings chances are you'll see single digit IRR  because there technically is not much more upside in that investment. 

Do your due diligence, screen them through background check and credit report (check out https://cozy.co/for-landlords/tenant-screening).  

My background is in Accounting; I want to buy and hold real estate long term for the cash flow.

Technically, the home was rentable 7/1/16 so would that be the in service date? 

I am currently enrolled in a technical school in California studying and preparing to work with Amtrak.