thanks a lot for the quick replies, and the useful information. I know a lot of my relatives have bought condos, some of them rented them out for a while and now live in them, and my grandpa bought a house on the beach in north carolina a long time ago, and now that beach is completely covered w/ rental properties. they used to rent it out, but now theyre living there, but i know they made a pretty penny off of it back in the day. i'll talk to them as well, to get some insight. thanks again!