Anyway, the short responses to your questions1- live-in renovation in 2011 FHA-insured loan2- tenant screening is key if you are going to be neighbors with your tenants...and introduce yourself as the "property manager"...separation makes things easier when you live next door. 3- first time...total guess...got lucky and settled into a $40k equity position from onset...did lots of homework, but limited to zillow back then...4- don't be afraid to pull the trigger on a deal. consult a great local agent and be confident your numbers meet your needs.

I am screening my 1st tenant and she seems good on paper ... so far. 

It can also be sealed if the tenant prevails.......If they are renting from a slumlord...and I mean true slumlord not any of this nonsense of "my landlord didn't come change the lightbulb when I asked", but I mean, real slumlord stuff, then yes, the tenant wins..........I've actually rented to a tenant that had an eviction but their eviction was more than 7 years ago and when they explained the circumstances to me I could roll with it and they turned out to be one of the best tenants I ever had......In fact they still live in the unit.I still think it comes down to proper screening and you would be amazed at what you can still find out when you ask the right questions.....What's your name?

Your name was on my screen but didn't come out in the post.Thanks again

Also, there are lots of ways you can manage your tenants remotely - using online property management software can be helpful to market your property, receive applicants and then screen your tenants if you can't be there. 

Yet she was my first ever agent and I did screen 6 agents to get to her.

Since my screening process is so difficult in a place where the vacancy rate is below 5%, I'm ensuring that doesn't happen much if at all.I may even find that my time spent on PM will actually go down due to technology advances despite increasing my portfolio.

Because I didn't pre-screen, get applications, or background check any of these people it's not a good representation of who I should rent to.

Are you OK with having no say or screening for the people using your property?

How will you pay the mortgage while you screen your tenants?