It's like playing Russian roulette with your income.

I stumbled on some information about short term rental tax benefits as it pertains to lowering W-2 Income. 

@Joseph Weisenbloom - I normally don't counter sign leases before receiving cashier checks or the funds in my account for the security deposit and first months rent.

Several of my recent buyers have been medical and legal professionals with high taxable income, that are looking to expand their value portfolios by incorporating an accessible short term rental property (often doubled as a legacy anchor) that will often offset or 'pay for itself,' in tax savings. 

What will your combined W2 income be after taxes when you get married?

@Kevin Drouillard most PMCs do not pursue collections after a tenant moves out.Check the eviction judgment to see if a money judgment was included.If not, you will need to pursue small claims judgment.Once you have a money judgment you can try to garnish (another court process) wages, bank accounts or state tax refunds.

@Benjamin Greiner just commented on another post about a tenant threatening to sue over mold issues - that tenant neglect caused.We told the landlord their lease should have had provisions in it to hold the tenant accountable for the damages.Standard leases only cover the basics, so you should Google all the leases you can for ideas to take to an attorney to include.

Still not a lawyer or a COA, make sure you use a QI like @Dave Foster for the exchange, and a cpa or at least an accountant for your taxes.

Make sure you get your financial house in order first -- decrease debt, increase income, & maintain a good credit score.

Just because they make enough income doesn't mean their application is perfect.