If your real estate investment business is starting to feel like a circus, it may be because you're spinning too many plates. In a way, it's good to be busy: it means you are preoccupied with managing your income, and that should be celebrated. On the other hand, no matter how smart or hard-working you are, your mind and body are finite resources; you can only juggle so much.

Starting the process of growing your real estate portfolio is a lot like starting a vehicle: You need the power to get going and momentum to keep moving. Once you leave the starting line, Newtonian physics is on your side; it’s a lot easier to keep things moving. Getting the power to overcome your initial inertia is the key! Acquiring the right information will take research—in real estate, knowledge is power.

Routine maintenance and inspections should include every area of your rental property. It's easy to remember to inspect floors, walls, appliances, and bathrooms between tenants or as part of your regular maintenance schedule. One of the questions many landlords seem to forget asking themselves is: "How are the basement, attic, and fireplace?"