agreed it does not matter for the fully engaged RE professional income varies from year to year.. this is why we hire CPA. it is what it is.. now we can take steps through the year.. like buying things that we can get accelerated depreciation on etc etc..

We hired a contractor to renovate our basement, and they just "finished" self-leveling the concrete floor and framing.

You can hire a cleaner to clean, charge the tenant who left the space dirty and not leave your high-paying job to do low-wage work. 

Hiring a bookkeeper to watch the income/expenses is like hiring a gardener to tell you how many roof shingles are laying on the ground after a wind storm instead of hiring a roofer to repair the roof.I recommend that you look for a quality property manager who can maintain the properties and help with the bookkeeping.Start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers.

Before hiring cleaners for our pet-friendly properties, we have a conversation to ensure their quote accounts for cleaning up after pets.

I vetted a few companies and hired one that seemed like the best fit.This is where the real trouble began.The first tenant they placed fell behind on rent by the second month.

Ask how they handle routine maintenance and emergencies and whether they have established relationships with cost-effective and reliable vendors.By focusing on these critical factors, you’ll be in a solid position to hire a property manager who can take the stress out of managing your rental property while helping you maximize your investment.If anyone has more specific questions, feel free to ask—I am happy to share more detailed advice!

START with sfh, and move up to apartments once you've got some experience handling renters - it's a good experience even if you plan on hiring a manager for your apartments.

Hiring a property management company with experience in managing foreign investors is essential.

If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general.