Most of the suburbs have a Point of Sale and Rental inspections so there is some added cost but it will help to ensure your property is maintained for the long term.

I've been analyzing lots of deals lately and the main thing I'm focused on is cash flow, for example I find a deal that is cash on cash of 13% and say to myself that its better than the stock market etc.however when you add the debt pay down into the equation, the net benefit is increased dramatically, here is a calculation I did, no crazy expectations, everything increasing at 2.5% annually.after a year I cashflow $2,850 however I've also gained 2,124 in equity, totaling 4,974. so in reality my actual return is much greater 12.20% cash on cash - (2124 equity after a year and as a percentage of the 22250 paid = 9.54%9.54% + 12.20% = 21.7% so really I am making a 20% return on my investment.why doesn't everyone do this calculation?

Even if you're all cash, 7% CoC return isn't much different than throwing your money into low risk stocks/bonds.

Dedicate yourself to maintain control of everything you are responsible for.

I'm on a block of well maintained mostly owner occupied homes.What I looked for is what kind of shape the other properties on the block are in. 

Call around.If you want a house that you can just increase in value and to live in, I would look at houses in general that are very dated..... but still maintained to livable condition.

Because honestly at 4% you could possibly make a better ROI in the stock market or mutual funds.

I did find some background on him and it seems like he's been mainly focused on stocks, etc, right?

Home Depot in stock cabinets are just fine for a rental.

My lease stipulates that the tenants are to maintain the yard.