House Thoughts....
Been doing this more than a dozen years over 4 states....
1- ALWAYS call a locksmith DAY ONE and have the LOCK CYLINDERS changed. DO NOT let the locksmith "change" the lock or upsell you to a new deadbolt or whatever. This makes the landlords key still slide into the lock....just not work. No visual change to door/lock.
2- If you need a lock on the bedroom door, you are in the wrong spot. You should have complete control of building access and no one should be, or will be, ever by the bedroom door who needs to be locked out.
3- The amount of extra enviroment control to run either a basement or attic grow is simply not worth it; the extra cash is better spent on a larger, more upscale residence. Basements are stangnent, drainage involves pumps, basement stairs are terrible to haul stuff down. Attics are so freaking hot you need 2 dimes worth of insulation, plus extra fans & ac units; all to have too little headroom & the thrill of climbing into the ceiling daily sloshing buckets. Yippeee!
4- Choose a house in a neighborhood you fit in. Don't be the only white dude on the block. Don't have a crap car in a gated community. Don't park your new Lexus at a $750 a month rental.
5- Don't rent from a property manager you don't like. Certain people rub us the wrong way, and we play the rubber sometimes too. (Rubber?) If you do not "gel" with this person, RUN.
6- Pick a house you like, because you, my friend, are going to be home. If you dislike the color of the kitchen tile today, you are not gonna be able to go make eggs after about 6 months. That shitty little bathroom will not be more appealing after your funk gets added. Bottom line...spending all your time in a shithole makes you feel like shit.
7- Don't assume your neighbors are stupid. As I watch a dude set up a grow in the rental accross the street, I am amazed how obvious it is to me. The house looked weird to me right away but I chalked it up to "projection", but when I saw him carrying a bag of Ocean Forrest...shrug. He is now less than a month in and I already KNOW what he is doing. DO NOT get seen moving in equipment. Garage anyone?
More than I planned to write, but those are the highlights I had not seen mentioned. Stay safe. Choose wisely.
Peace.