Hey Rob, It's completely normal to feel anxious when making a big financial decision, especially when you're looking to scale up your real estate investments.

As might be the case in a Flip that needs work or similar.I am assuming that it would be OK for me to do normal maintenance on a rental that I would be holding long term - such as mowing, small fix-it projects, etc..

If this is going to be a limited PARTNERSHIP (you references "we"), then you will have to have a partnership return completed separately and earlier (March 15th) and the numbers will be put on a K-1, which then will be put on your normal 1040 which will be due on April 15th. 

Quote from @Andrew Kolodgie: “It’s normal to pass your mentors.

Now, that being said, tenants are to return the property in the condition they received it minus normal wear and tear. 

However, increasing insurance rates means that this shortage is also increasing so my monthly payment is increasing exponentially to accommodate the increase in both my insurance rate and my shortage (my mortgage has increased over $400 monthly in the past 1.5 years because of these factors).TL;DR - Is it normal for a bank to require a positive escrow balance at all times like my current bank does?

But to answer you question directly, I would say that 27 is too old to live at home (in most normal situations).

Evictions normally take 4 week once the demand letter is given.  

After the 12 months payments above you qualify for the exception so you're back to regular/normal LTV's which depends on your occupancy  - second home/primary/investment - it all varies. 

Its not right, in my opinion, but it sounds normal for this area.