We have milestones, that when they are met and I am satisfied with the work, they get partial payment.  

In order to mitigate most of the issues of working with contractors you need to have a very explicit scope of work, and a solid contract that specifies that payments are made according to certain milestones, and penalties for delays or rework.

Without having Milestones, Measurable Milestones, how will you know when you are successful?  

You can always use your cash for reserves.Incentivizing Contractors: Everyones here to make money so structure your payment milestones so that they are incentivized to work.

The following milestones took place since then on weekdays after work and on weekends: May - purchase of second duplexJune - purchase of third duplex July - purchase of a triplexOctober - purchase of forth duplex I financed all the properties through conventional 25%-down loans and the properties are more or less considered turn-key properties with minor work needed.

Looking for a solid renewal sequence of events/milestones that has worked for others.

Another milestone..

Practice the 8 Habits and other milestone sensitive strategies to improve the neighborhood surrounding your rental holdings. 4.

In terms of compensation, I'm planning on having this structure (I got this from J Scott website/book): Milestone #1: 10% paid when these documents are signedMilestone #2: 20% paid after the first day of work is successfully completedMilestone #3: 30% paid after half the work is completedMilestone #4: 30% paid after substantial completion of the projectMilestone #5: 10% paid two weeks after substantial completion of the projectThanks in advance

and yes you can hire a VA for $5-$10/hr but what Michael didn't say, either from neglecting to point it out or from inexperience is you have to train that VA, which sucks if you have never done it. the logical thing he left out as well  and obviously didn't do the math is he said you can get a VA for $5-$10/hour.. well with REIV you pay $8.96/hr but get a whole team working around the clock and don't have to worry about doing time sheets, milestones, etc..and the $5-$10/hr he states would take a few of these VA's he is referring to, to get what the team at REIV does.Let's talk about the lists, my response since joining REIV is impressive.