Let's say that next year your service calls to your HVAC provider increase by 50% and they in turn cut your rate from from $3,200 to $3,000.  

You can deaden the sound with rugs, and even cut out the sheetrock between floors and install some insulation. 

Like you said, I doubt he is really fine with his cut of the pie.

Yes, probably 50/50 to start and then once you have a strong track record with them, you may have the leverage to try to get a higher percentage on your end since technically what you're doing is more time intensive than what they are doing (cutting a check).

@Dawn Brenengen, I guess the votes are still out on whether I'm cut out for this.

Sorry to be so blunt about it but there is no way around it. '23'/'24' are CASH-COW years for hundreds of thousands of landlords.

Everyone tells you they have training, but I think you can cut the slackers from the top by seeing where they train. 

Unlike Doug fir up this way were we clear cut and replant.. and growing cycles from the Cascades WEST are 60 to 100 years.. and they are ready to go again..

.- Both boilers installed new 2017- Both electric panels upgraded 2015  - Shared Backyard access for bottom 2 units- No Parking, No Central Air- House built before 1900- Roof about 20Yrs old- Assume Fed cuts rate at least .25 point later this year Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Self management is a great way to cut costs and help owners put more money back in their pockets and back into their properties.