I was kind of hoping to stay around 500-600k Max, I am a first time buyer and want to ensure Vacancy isn't going to rape my bank account.

And with some detail, I envision that investors will be able to weed out (and as a crowd, comment on) these deals through the portals in a quick and efficient manner, placing capital where appropriate and prudent.

Direct vent is common for the higher efficiency units; your existing system almost certainly is chimney vented.

We were using an assortment of different places to me the most cost efficient.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Arizona's Realtor Association - Seller Financing Forms - Dodd Frankhttp://blog.aaronline.com/2014/01/are-you-prepared-for-the-next-installment-of-dodd-frank/In order to ensure that its members are not facilitating seller financed transactions in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act, AAR has removed its Assumption/Carryback Addendum from the AAR forms library.

The savings alone would pay for it.You might consider installing high efficiency toilets and shower heads. remember every dollar in expenses creates a value ten equity creation.Good luckPaul

I have been trying to figure out how to go about buying my first rental property while living out of state, and properly ensuring it is managed and cash-flow positive.

I am interested in renting to college students and was wondering what others do to ensure that their tenants pay their rent?

You can do that, it will cost you more, much more probably, the abstract of title is the history of the property, that could be hundreds of pages, what you really require is a title search, running the history of title from that and perhaps the prior owner forward to ensure there are no issues from the last transaction that was insured.

If they have the money to invest they have the money to ensure things are done properly. :)