It's on a good foundation, over an acre with landscaping and a large garage.

I'm thinking a good power washing, painting the shutters and doors, maybe a railing around the porch and some landscaping will be enough to make it stand out.

My day job is in selling construction materials, brick, block, stone, landscape, etc. for new construction and remodels.Owned a duplex years ago but being newly married at the time and then kids on the way, sold it due to lack of time and the cash flow was not good enough for property management.

Landscaping condition.Gang activity in the area.

Would upgrading the kitchen and landscaping seem to increase the value of a home?

However, I pay an additional $100/wk for their guy to go and maintain the property, plus I pay for contractors to maintain the pool, landscaping, and other maintenance and repairs.This is my first property so its definitely posssible that I could be getting completely ripped off.

The place looks pretty solid outside of a 70's tile kitchen counter and somewhat sparse landscaping.

You should account for landscaping and snow removal since it is a multi.

Option 2: Rent $1500 Taxes - 325 Insurance - 73 Maintenance -75 Management - 150 (even if you do yourself, you should budget for this) Vacancy - 120 Cap Ex - 75 Misc (Admin fees, landscaping, tax prep, etc.) - 75 Expenses $820 (I did not include utilities because normally tenants pay for that, but find out what is common in your area.Net Operating Income NOI (Income - Expenses) = $680Cash Flow: $680 - $1134 debt service = -454 You will not cash flow on this property, even if you get $1600 for rent and self manage, so this option is a no go.

that $50 dollar bill you gave to the landscaper?