If you just build a relationship with someone over time, then it won’t feel that way.In my opinion, mentorship is better, but If it’s hard to find a mentor, then starting with some reasonably priced coaching may get the ball rolling.

I guess you could say that I got lucky and invented this simple system of "assignments", I also discovered the magic of networking and created a Meet-UP for like minded people to share ideas and control systems like Control and Roll.

Once you get one to two properties paid off it becomes a snowball rolling downhill, you can't stop it unless your an idiot.  

The city is likely also going to roll out more regulations on business licenses/permits.My advice: purchase something in an area of the city you would be happy living in, and where the greatest potential for appreciation exists.

I want to do an inspection and a rent roll but are there other things to add as contingencies?

My rent roll is around $30k a month.

I personally work with land trusts on all the properties I own because they can also offer anonymity and help you roll them into your future estate plan very easily.

I was only really interested in generating cash flow at this time, and hopefully rolling over the houses to someplace more desirable later.   

I get that some landlords are dirt bags, but man... this article makes it look like landlords are these mob sharks that sit around rolling in cash while making the lives of their tenants miserable in horrible conditions. 

Think about how many investments have been made since the GFC and ZIRP...how many would be able to service their debt if they had to roll it over at 8.5%?