I think we will try to get all 3 central a/c units in on the front end, but if we don't, at least they can be added in later with ease if we go the route you had mentioned.

Hi Apurva,53 units -- It would be smart to talk to an Architect who does multi-family (In your general area) about the cost of doing a restyle as well as colors.Especially if you choose a Hardie (Fiber Cement type) product.With Hardie (Type) products, read the upkeep instructions, some require re-applying the joint sealers (factor that into your maintenance budget).Also with Hardie (Type) products there is a service life to the color...some come pre-colored, some your contractors must paint on site, (some require priming of cuts when installed)---talk to the Architect about the maintenance schedule and the CAPEX for this.Hardie makes big sheets of this for multi-family that Architects can use for visual effect and ease of installation.With 53 units--springing for an Architect to help with this would be intelligent.Good Luck!

The students’ decision to move early was largely based on the roach problem, however we offered to tent the home for pests to put their concerns at-ease.

The best way to put your mind at ease is to start making calls. 

Regarding your capital, you can simply buy a REIT, or become a limited partner on a syndication if you want ease.

Are there any recommended brands for longevity or ease of use? 

If the springs somehow busted, the locking mechanism on the chain and the gears of the motor would hold the door in place - the springs ease the weight, they don't hold it, the lock is designed to hold the weight without the springs.

Buying in SF is a bet that a) "jumbo" loans will return to 2019-levels of availability and b) working from home is going to largely go away once the economy re-opens.For b, your guess is as good as mine.For a, you can track the general ease of availability of jumbo loans at the following link.

The trade-off for ease of renting and maintenance is less upside for return.

Waffling between "jump in with two feet and keep all the profit" versus "ease in slowly, make a little bit by the time you sell, and enjoy time at the beach" I think the PM has the potential to pay for itself- between the marketing, repeat customers, and the community being primarily professionally managed units.