My thinking tends to be finding underutilized properties in high demand STR markets.

There is obviously a formal lease, and we also supplement with a room mate agreement which outlines the more specific things like overnight guests and expectations in dispute resolutions/ cleaning/ care for the home and appliances, etc.I haven't received one formal "LL request" email yet, other than a formal 30 day notice in the event of a move out, which is usually after they've come talked to me in person about it to begin with. if there's an issue, it tends to be pretty limited to "hey, we have this shower rod falling off"... which im usually here to deal with (and tbh most of the time they like to fix it up with me), and it doesnt need to turn into a big thing. as for keys, i have the house on a yale smart lock, so 'handing over keys' is just official move out, walkthrough of the room for damages, and then I can delete their access code and access to the smart home systems without having to re-key the house. 

That tends to be the person that is the "best", if there is even such a thing. 

buy a used coin op laundry machine and a used quarter exchange machine. you could get both for under 2k Washer/Dryer and exchanger.as far as servicing, anyone who can swap out a light fixture could maintain the entire unit with a little youtubing.I find more issues with card systems, esp if they are in the basement of a building, wifi, and card reading tend to be the most common. 

These types of properties tend to receive more damage so in the event that durable products and methods are still not enough these properties need to be easy to fix and turn.

i think the concerns of the people around you tend to be valid - and so your job isn't to 'convince' them, it's to come at investing (or whatever) from a place of financial strength.my first rental was my former primary residence - i kept it as a rental when i moved out of it. 

Obviously during the renovation process we tend to focus on functionality and cosmetic features.

If the tenants don't pay for the water they tend to view it as a free resource and as a result there is a lot of waste.

I tend to think that RSO applies, even if all parties agree.

And while there is no statutory prohibition - the IRS has tended to look at refinances right before a sale and 1031 as a way of pulling profit out.