Replaced the main water line and all gas lines myself from the meters using YouTube tutorials and seeking advice from experts at local plumbing supply companies.

I had 11 of these and good systems in place but still had 1-2 evictions a year and 3-4 big things that were normal annoyances like plumbing leaks, damages from hurricanes, or some vandalism.

I upgraded the heating system to natural gas furnaces.

That is a safe way to get into the deal, while reducing your individual risk.Example based on your #'s:mortgage $1,070/mth insurance - $750/yr or around $65/mthtaxes - $800/yr or around $70/mthtotal piti = $1,205/monthLet's estimate utilities around $300/month (electricity, gas, water, internet, tv service, etc)Total - $1,505/monthNow, you are estimating $35k/yr for gross revenue, so that is about $2,900/month, so you may want to put 10% or something toward repairs/maintenance, etc. $290/mth (I'm not sure if that is high for an str or not, but, you need to use your own estimates)So, that works out to around $1,800/month for expenses, leaving $1,100/month net.

I paid for dozens of tire repairs from roofing nails, bought thousands of dollars in gas, filed deeds, paid local land taxes, dump fees of a couple of thousand, and many hundreds to the local convenience stores for drinks and ice for my workers, doughnuts, gatoraid, sodas, etc. 

Luckily if needed I can work at a fast food restaurant, gas station, dollar store etc... so that I don't have to accept those terms.  

Leaking roof after lots of rehab has been doneOld pipes, old foundations, old windowsScammers CL Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Leaking roof after lots of rehab has been doneOld pipes, foundations, windowsScammers CL Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Sometimes a very nice tenant means well by not complaining to the landlord about a small thing - like a tiny leak in the kitchen sink - not realizing that even though they mean to do a favor, it's really something the landlord needs to know about. 

For example I left old toilet on one of the rentals which was working fine and 2 days after tenants moved in it started leaking.