First you need to learn to separate the following:Maintenance: usually things related to wear & tear or tenant damage.Repairs: usually broken items like doors & windows, caused by tenant or nature.Capital Improvements: usually expensive things that wear out: hot water tanks, furnaces, roofs, etc.The seller is correct that Repairs & Capital Improvement items should not be a factor for awhile (ALWAYS get your own inspection to confirm).

One of the methods I plan to utilize is to list the space on craigslist.

More likely that the document is correct, and the change to 12% was made recently. 12% seems to be middle of the road but still pretty decent, yet generally Baltimore city RE is a bit more risky than rest of MD .Lonnie Pickard

That’s our primary method of communication so it works.

Correct, it’s a long process with no guarantee of success.

Also, half of all LLCs get thrown out in court because they aren't managed correctly.

Which is to say any attempts beyond the method of communication in the profile are likely to end up convincing the landlord you and your friend would be a pain in the butt as tenants. 

Asking in the correct forum will get a better response.Read the RULES!

I decided I’d find another method. 

So then you can add several properties under that same LLC if in the same state correct?