Thinking about becoming...

Residential landlording is more of a second job than passive investment. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not like you can just buy a few properties and start hauling bags of money to the bank every week. It's a business, and even with a manager between you and the tenants, there is some risk and occasional unpleasantness involved. Everyone I know with more than one property has spent some Saturdays dealing with their rentals.

A relative of mine is doing well with lower market properties, his 'day job' is something he can now do for fun. But he has an entire ecosystem of employed manager, a few contracted handymen and an attorney on retainer who does the paperwork for property purchases, sales and evictions. But he is in a landlord friendly state where you just a 'quit or pay rent' notice a few days after the rent is late. This is a lot less interesting a line of business in a state (or city) with strong deadbeat protections.

If you are cut out to deal with renters and you understand enough about building maintenance and construction to supervise maintenance folks (or a manager), then sure landlording may be a good job for you.
 
I've owned 1 house that we rented out, then gave it to our daughter and son-in-law. They were the renters, so not exactly strangers. However, never again, too much work. I'm retired and it's bad enough dealing with our house, never mind a rental. That, and I served on a jury over 25 years ago which dealt with a non-payment of rent. If renters are like those scumbags, no way to I ever want to deal with them again.

It works for some, but for me, no thanks.
 
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