Newbie Investor - Condo near Downtown

[Leigh Badoyen]

Hi BP peeps! My name is Leigh and I am a newly minted real estate agent (decided to leave teaching to get int the REI game). I have been living in my condo for about 6 years. Family life circumstances have changed and I will be moving in the next few months into a rent free situation short term. My condo is on the first floor of a complex that is heavily rented out to mostly EVMS students. I have a few things I need to repair before I feel good renting out without worrying about issues when I get a tenant. My question is, and I've read some posts on BP, but what is the best way to calculate how much I should be asking monthly?

I know there are calculators out there that I can use but with my situation, I want to know what is realistic to fix verse what I want to fix to make sure I'm putting my money in the right places as money is tight. The bathrooms are my need to fix and my HVAC unit is a questionable. I would love any recommendations on handy helpers/contractors. I'm a big supporter of local businesses verse national big names. I am wide open to advice on renting in this area. And like anything, money talks...

Thank you in advance,

Leigh