At the same time, everyone has to take that first step so don't stress out too much and get analysis paralysis.

It is hard to ask other people what is and is not a good deal when you are not clear what your end goal is.I fell victim to this and now when I help fellow investors I really stress that having the right mindset is the most important thing.

Sometimes they will be experiencing legitimate money stress, in which case you can advance them a portion of the payment, but don’t give them the full payment.

I'll be at a friend wedding.  

Needs everything, foundation bad, so floors are bowed & stressed, all flooring is worn and damaged, as is drywall, windows, entire bathroom, entire kitchen, doors, plumbing, electrical, roof, siding.

Can you send me the Wed F/C info?

But I decided that it would help me feel less stressed out personally...and it will be freeing up an additional $1500 per month - which if you figure - COC ROI = 20%.  

I think you're stressing your brother out over what probably is nothing Joshua D. . 

We're meeting in SF next Wed, and @Johnson H. has a great meetup group down in San Jose every month.

You have to be wired a certain way to be a (mostly) stress free landlord, but even more so when working in more sketchy neighborhoods.I hope to one day graduate to more properties in better C and B neighborhoods (and look forward to more appreciation) but next year I hope to buy another three or four of these low income properties.