That's what people need - a sense of belongingness (via Maslow's hierarchy of needs).I would encourage you to 1) have thick skin 2) do easy things and build goodwill + momentum, and 3) use the DVP change formula at all time (check out: http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/2997/blog_posts/24776-how-using-the-dvp-change-formula-can-help )

You need to have built up a reserve of good will with your tenants to get over humps

So if a similar situation came up, merely from the standpoint of goodwill, it's worth it.I own rentals in areas predominated by owner occupants.

Me and your wife would be BFFs, nothing better than spending my Saturday morning rummaging through GoodWill treasures, with the added bonus of 50% off.

Also if you get some maintenance items that need to be taken care of in the units and plan to get those resolved quickly it brings a lot of good will and eases the transition. 

Go to Goodwill and find some "no money down" books from the 70's  Robert Allen preached all of this back in the day. 

I'm a n00b who wants to consume all of your time, good will and resources.

A reputable contractor who wants repeat business will absorb those costs to promote goodwill with his customer and will make up the loss on future projects.

As per WI Statutues 452.01(2) for the defintion of a broker and WI Statutes 452.01(2)(b) for what I'm talking about:WI Statutues 452.01(2)“Broker" means any person not excluded by sub. (3), who does any of the following:"* Owners are not excluded if you check out sub. (3).WI Statutes 452.01(2)(b)"Is engaged wholly or in part in the business of selling or exchanging interests or estates in real estate or businesses, including businesses' goodwill, inventory, or fixtures, whether or not the business includes real property, to the extent that a pattern of sales or exchanges is established, whether or not the person owns the real estate or businesses.

You can reduce the price if you're not buying the actual business (equipment, web sites, good will, etc.).I was considering the purchase of some management contracts recently and planned to make a low offer because I know the quality of the management contracts are weaker than mine.