It is true a manager will likely take around 20% but a good manager can save you money through effective preventative maintenance, and can gain revenue through better pricing, marketing on more channels + direct bookings, and more.  

The biggest challenge, more than handling maintenance, is managing tenant relationships and understanding the legal responsibilities.

Hi everyone, we are thinking of charging a monthly maintenance fee to cover our semiannual preventative maintenance inspections (where we check for leaks, clean the AC unit, replace the furnace filter, etc.) and also a once a year gutter cleaning. 

If piti is $1100 and rents range from $1000 to $1200, conservative underwriting would use the lower of the rent range, we have $1100 rent - $1000 PITI - $120 PM  - $50 (vacancy) - $300 maintenance/cap ex - $50 misc (tax man, asset protection, book keeping, utilities that are not tenant responsibility such as for a slab leak, etc) is about negative $420/month. 

Is he holding rent due to maintenance issues? 

And of course, most homes have HOA's (homeowners associations) that can be $20-$250/month to pay for community maintenance, sometimes lawn care, cable/internet, amenity upkeep, pool, security etc. 

We have more maintenance requests but usually for smaller items.

I typically like to use a solid surface over formica more for maintenance and longevity.

Is there deferred maintenance that you missed?

Successful investors focus on potential appreciation, low-maintenance properties, and networking with agents and lenders.