Regarding your question about the deposit, typically, it is best to address the security deposit issue after the current lease expires, laws do not require tenants to sign an addendum for anything during the course of the current lease. 

Normally it seems about 10% too high, but of course every case is different. 

What's a good online course for a real-estate license..

Is there anything you don't use from Real Estate Agent courses?

We started calling tenants on May 15th asking them if they plan on renewing ( with new increases of course ) or moving out.

And of course, don't rule out house hacking for yourself and .... investing out of state, too!

Etsy and Artfire selling hand made or custom itemsEbay stores selling items you find in your area that others can't find or get easilyCreate a blog discussing something you are good or passionate about for advertising incomeStart a youtube channel for advertising incomeStart a services based business doing something you are good at and advertise on CraigslistCheck the Craigslist gigs area for one time quick gigs you can get that work around your scheduleUber or lyft as a driverHouse hack, or buy a house and rent out all but your roomWhile saving move your money from bank to bank to gain their 3 or 6 month bonuses like $300 bonus for holding your money in their savings for 90 days, then move it to the next bank offering that.Sell everything you are no longer usingSell photographs to stock photo websites like istock, depositphotos, etcBuy pallets of overstock/returns to ship and have Amazon sellBuild websites for companies using wordpressOffer to maintain the social media for all business owners you know, and take a monthly fee for some extra facebook and twitter time.Become a long distance digital assistant for some REI investors that need you to analyze deals, juggle calls, etc allowing you to learn along the wayOf course any job working in the industry you are looking to get into like an working with a realtor, investor, broker, mortgage agent, etc would be preferred since it gives you further advantages in future investments.Let us know what you decide to do!

Of course if a deal seems good enough it gets a deep analysis where you look at the rental sites it was listed on, how long the listings were on for, and how much it rented for as well as other compatibles in the area.

Of course you’re reading that from the beach in the bahammas, or your preferred beach. 

--------------------------Background:I have a rental property in Swansea, at the north end of the neighborhood, backing to the train tracks.