(If you have not already) read enough books on real estate to increase your knowledge base.

This also gives me solid staying power when maintenance costs arise. 

While under contract, we perform due diligence and there will be some soft costs incurred. 

There is a monthly fee associated for this but if the tenant is serious you can offer it to them at cost.

It hedges any downside risk and increases cash flow.

We did consider/evaluate that option, and have done multiple flips, but at those points have been under contract since New Year's Eve and carrying costs for another 2-3 months without a guaranteed sale is not the risk we want to assume.

I personally made these repairs at a total cost to me for $150.

Additionally, the cost to create a business here is not as inexpensive as the United States, in some cases it can cost thousands of dollars to setup. 

A manager will roughly cost $100-$150 a month to take over a unit (it could be more or less in your market) and manage the units.

People pay a lot of money for advertising, so here is your chance to gain valuable "real estate" for free (or for the cost of a sign).