We travel regularly to visit the properties but I believe that is very important in maintaining a strong asset. 

If a particular person has the right feel and starts giving me regular work (i.e., I know I am not just being used) then I would go to the next level and give them a slightly more itemized bid.

We would require renters insurance.Now we have regular homeowners.

The key along that route is to use the money you earn in a job like that to get certifications to qualify you for the next higher-paying job. 

@Zack Rutland First off, yes go for the mortgage route.

It's great for any agent to add an investor or two to their client list because investors can do multiple deals per year while regular buyers do one deal every ten years on average.

Getting a police report filed is important if you end up going the eviction route. 

I also think getting a Line of Credit is a reasonable option depending on how you use it but just receiving an regular old fixed rate loan is a pretty simple enough way to go.  

I hope that helps give you another route to investigate.

Doing regular inspections is also good so you are on the right track.