When you get a reference  for "x y z", I suggest you use google search for:"reviews of x y z"you will always find nay-sayers, but look for a mixed bag of yea vs nay and see what gets noted as worthy info. 

So high interest rates might work for someone flipping, but what if you are new, misjudged your market and now you are stuck holding the bag on a one year term loan at 13% and can't move the property? 

I think that if you can do both, even if it is one rental for some steady income and then buying & flipping if that is your bag is best.  

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies that spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

My tenants expected me to leave cleaning supplies and trash bags as well (SRO building).

The units are heavy and feel very secure, and are much easier to install than any others I have encountered.This has worked well for me with 2 triplexes each with a common entry door, but we are adding to our portfolio and I may be using the landlord locks recommended above in the future- it would be nice to have less keys jingling away in my bag!

If you think that their activities go beyond recreational use (large quantities in the house, visible scales or bags, people coming and going in excess) it's time for a more serious conversation. 

This is my most effective tool un my tool bag.

Like someone that would not likely walk off and leave you holding the bag?

I've had two occasions where the reference they listed told me not to rent to them because they were violent, late payers, or too needy.Not doing a criminal, credit, background check, which might have revealed criminal or credit problemsBeing slow to evict (mentioned by others)Believing their sob storiesAccepting partial paymentsFailing to document every conversation or interactionNot walking through the property to make sure they're taking care of it (I now walk through every 9 months so I can see problems in different seasons)We've found crack pipes and other paraphernalia after they moved outWe've discovered piles and piles of trash (some bagged, some not) in closets, basements, sheds when trash cans and pickup service are included in their rent - all they had to do was carry it out, at no cost to themWe've Found smokers, pets, extra peopleOverall, I've had great success as a property investor.