I bet David has some friends and family in the area that he could also bridge comfort gap if something came up locally.  

That's where the good in-bound web leads are - SEARCH.Get a landing page from Investor Carrot or LeadPropeller and watch a few videos on how to do AdWords and you can set up an account.AdWords works best at the county level.  

I'm a software developer and I run a web-based software business.I've just recently been starting to look into rental properties, and have just been absorbing as much information as I can from this forum.I have all kinds of ideas for software coming to mind, and I figured that some of the experienced investors out there may have some ideas as well.If you'd like to kick any ideas around, feel free to post them up!  

You believe you're ready to bet your GF's money, credit and ability to borrow on your knowledge learned in forums, blogs, youtube and other guru ploys?

(I have no idea what that would pull up, but I bet it is something cool.)

If you are thinking there is some big swing about to happen, this would be your best bet.

Well, .com is always your best bet because it's the most widely recognized.  

Might also make him eligible for HAMP or whichever program helps owner occupants refi even if value > loan balance (did a quick web search and HAMP does seem to apply to 2-units, not just sfh).Different tack, is either of the current tenants interested in buying the place?

You bet! 

I wouldn't waste that.So if I an find a good trustworthy mentor I bet we could both benefit from it.