Check out this chart: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyMake sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.Metro Detroit has 132 cities, the City of Detroit 183 Neighborhoods, which we’re analyzing and classifying.Horror Stories:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-baltimore-a-path-to-never-ending-painhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/1231840-sell-at-a-loss-or-rent-at-a-losshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/840134-memphis-turnkey-tenant-turnover-costshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-experience-of-oos-investing-in-cleveland-after-15-years

This thing is not a checking account.. 

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I see all kinds of conflicts that try to make rentals tough on landlords...like restricting rentals or imposing all kinds of rules on owners that are tough to comply with, like supplying the HOA board with your lease and background check to approve your tenant. 

I'll re-word that "if you live an expensive location, e.g West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) or East Coast (NYC, Boston, cities in NJ)" it's better to house hack or find something within driving distance (2 to 3 hours) where you can check on the properties.

Do inspections, verify rents, look up the management and make sure the property checks the boxes. 

I've always found the background check services do not do a thorough job so I always overlay that service with my own gumshoe due diligence  (talking directly to immediate supervisors, ensuring the previous "landlord" owns the property, checking social media, etc.).Never rely exclusively on these services. 

These people do not want to lose their voucher.Use the Correct Legal Process for EvictionTurner’s rule: “Never threaten eviction — just follow the process.”Here’s how it generally works:Serve a formal notice to cure or quit (check Massachusetts law — typically a 7–14 day notice for lease violations).Clearly state the violation (“Smoking inside the unit in violation of lease section X”) and give a deadline to correct it.If the issue continues, file for eviction in Housing Court for repeated lease violations or nuisance behavior.Provide all documentation — warnings, air-quality report, photos, and any written responses.Section 8 will often back you up if they see that the tenant’s actions are impacting habitability for others in the property.

Screening is your first line of defense against rental risk, so cutting corners can cost you much more down the road.Rather than using an automated “box-check” background check, look for a provider that uses manual review by certified screeners who cross-verify criminal, eviction, and credit data.

They have simplified applications (and oftentimes don't accept a 1003), and they are still pulling background checks via OFAC, LexisNexis, etc.