It has definitely cut down on the calls we get from tenants about these type of problems.

Should I just cut my losses.  

We don't want people to think that they are skirting the law in some way when they are just simply following it. 

Was looking at projections today based on rate cut cycles and chances are we could see rates drop into the high 4's/low 5's in the next couple of years on average (that's based on previous cycles and a decreasing spread between the 10yr and mortgage rates). 

At the end of the month, look for things you can either cut back on or eliminate.Take advantage of tax deductions: The less you pay on taxes, the more you will have to invest in new properties.

Something to be aware of.We've filled vacancies at our medium-term rental in Denver in January before, but had trouble in November and December, so I don't know if the winter is tough or if its simply the holiday season.I'd be more interested in buying the right place whenever it comes up.

Also remember that it is death by 1000 cuts getting a property to market.

Even if I entertained the idea of allowing a tenant to do work on a property, I would simply pay them for work completed and they could either receive payment or apply it to the rent.

I simply want to offer a second opinion should you need it.

If you build (via managing a general contractor), you should (ideally) know more about how the property was built than if you bought an existing home--you know what's behind the walls, and ideally you might avoid anything wrong with buying an existing home with issues you and your inspector didn't catch.I understand there's risk to building--it just seems right now that the risk is lower than buying an existing house--a house where you simply cannot know every detail without tearing it down to the studs and doing a complete remodel.