Compete on photos/amenities/good reviews; put all of your energy there.

Custom houses in very, very good areas.

Haha it’s not as bad as you think but that is a renewable energy source.

Covid brought us tremendous success so we got our contractor's license and opened Apogee Custom Homes.

It is my understanding that you can give Latchel a customized vendor list although my solution was to fire Great Jones (who outsourced maintenance to Latchel) and hire a local PM with real people and real local vendor relationships.

Word on the street is that Split systems (common in . . . . a LOT of places other than the US) operate at a lower energy consumption rate per heating unit and cooling unit. 

I currently work in the energy sector, but my ultimate goal is to become financially independent through real estate.

Quote from @Greg Friedman: I recommend self-management if you have the personality, time, and energy.

My opinion, go to Tony Robbins or your choice of speaker If you are looking for a high energy motivational seminar.

Like many (most) businesses it requires an investment of capital; money expenditure for ongoing marketing; management of operating, marketing and professional personnel; keeping accounting records and filing tax returns; established sales practices; constant monitoring of goals, budgets, and productivity; establishment and implementation of operational systems; and providing customer service.