We can remotely control the temperature, but if someone (a guest) manually changes the thermostat, it overrides our remote settings, which is what we want.   

Here’s what I recommend:Cash Investments:No Debt, No Stress: With cash, you avoid third-party control and loan vetting, giving you full control of returns.Equity Builders: Partnering with builders often reduces your property entry cost by up to 20% below market value.Consistent 10% Returns: With an all-cash approach, achieving 10% ROI is realistic and efficient.Financing Strategy:If cash isn’t feasible, consider a balanced financing model:40-50% Down Payment: Keep leverage manageable while maximizing returns.Lower Debt Exposure: A conservative loan-to-value ratio (LTV) reduces risks and keeps returns stable.Work with a Builder: Collaboration with builders can lower acquisition costs and increase your ROI.Key Takeaways:If possible, prioritize cash for simplicity, control, and consistent returns.Financing can work well with a disciplined approach to debt and a strong underwriting process.Partnering with builders offers opportunities to reduce costs and enhance your portfolio’s profitability. 

Networking is always a great practice and you never know who you might meet there and what good information they have to share.

If you do it right, it’s arguably the best market to invest.Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

If you want practical support without being bound to a specific system, an “in-house” advisor could be the ideal fit for you, offering versatility as you build your own approach.

You can make more money if you have full control, but your time needs to be considered. 

I'm sure there are agents and investors with deeper insights, but for most of us, a consistent, long-term approach—similar to dollar-cost averaging when investing in index funds—seems like the most practical strategy.That being said, I am also interested to hear what others have to say though, so thank you for the post!

Though fee schedules vary by company, generally speaking, you'll pay more up front for checkbook control and less over time, since the full custodial companies will have transaction fees not to mention the red tape of going through the custodian for all transactions. 

pest control?

If you’re still concerned, you could consider installing programmable thermostats or low-flow fixtures to help control costs without relying entirely on tenant behavior.