It would be great if there were no snake oil salesmen and you could trust everything you read online, but it just isn't the world we live in, so due diligence is the price you pay for a successful passive investment.A few general notes: Steer clear of anything that guarantees tenancy terms (can't be predicted or promised) or excludes any expenses in their ROI calcs.

Texas is a good state to invest in not because of lack of state tax, but because it has net immigration, diversification of its economy away from oil & gas, property price recovery from the 1980s S&L crisis (mostly DFW and Houston), relocation of corporate headquarters to Texas, and low overall cost of state government.

If the buyer still has an issue, it is something else like a negotiation tactic to shave off a couple bucks.

Should I buy a Porsche and write off the 500 dollar oil changes? 

I’m currently in oil field fracking.

My name is Daniel, I'm the founder of Property Pool and wanted to give you my thoughts on the Crowd Funding industry and how it can work for investors.In 2014 Real Estate together with Oil and gas where the 2 top industries in terms of capital raised thru crowdfunding or private placements. http://www.crowdnetic.com/reports/jan-2015-report I think the reason investors are gravitating towards the crowdfunding model are various but here are some:You can access deals that you couldn't access beforeThere is a lower minimum investment than a DIY strategyTrue passive incomeTo your point, if you are a hands on investor and want to do it yourself, than crowdfunding might not be the best strategy for you.

It's like snake-oil salesman convinving people that alcohol with a new label will suddenly cure baldness.I rent properties for more than 30 days and less than one year.

Some things that I've had in mine for years.a. no unregistered vehiclesb. only as many vehicles as there are garage/parking spacesc. names and SSNs for all tenants, including minors. any guests for more than 10 consecutive days, I must be notified.d. they have to subscribe to and keep current with trash collection companye. no motorcyclesf. no oil changing or any other work on carsg. no boats, motorhomes etc.h. must always keep the property in compliance with deed restrictioni.

I had already found a couple old cool looking oil lamps in a room above one of the vaults.

.- Was the tenant aware the barrel contained oil?