Very few renters even sign a rental contract a month out, let alone 2-3 months if there are unforseen delays in your closing....

Be prepared for the unexpected.

Simple calculation - average rental period for the area and "good tenant" profile (in our case, for instance, in Japan, its 4-5 years in the singles' units we like most), take 25% off that time for unexpected downturns (or more if your area is notoriously unstable), and work out the percentage 1/2 or 1 month rent income is of that period (in our case more like 1-2 months).I think, in the vast majority of cases, and particularly if you work out how many empty months bad screening or management can cost you, you'll see there's no doubt as to the financial gain potential a good PM or tenant placer can be worth.And that's without even taking into account the personal toll of time and resources spent when you do it all yourself...

I also upgraded the windows to energy efficient windows and had to find a new window supplier after mine unexpectedly closed up shop a couple weeks before the job.

It will require new kit cab refacing/carpet in 2 and paint in all 4 (I am handy so I would do these myself to save on unexpected expenses I might have for a first time buy.)

Unexpected subfloor saturated with cat urine ..

i install one. they have a broken cover on the outlet, i put a new one. they have a toilet bolt leaking, I installed a new toilet (tried to fix that toilet 3 times).get the idea?

They installed it no charge and added the outlets....

And likely it will have way too few circuits and outlets for modern usage.

If you are interested in checking that out, let me know.Ali