My plan is to host the semiannual retreats at kid friendly places (like Great Wolf Lodge) so that the dads or other family can play with the kiddos while the moms are in morning meetings and spend the afternoons/evenings with our families. 

We also have sub-group meetings for the annual ticket holders. www.rei-central.com

I recommend you do this annually to adjust for utility increases and other variables.

It turns out that for a year, minus the first "dead" month, I assume to extract a return of $12,000 (I also deducted one additional month based on the assumption of the necessary "additional investments" in repairs annually): $1,200 * 10 months = $12,000.Cash-on-cash return = Real estate income received for the year before taxes/amount invested.

Wolf Ranch in Georgetown, TXhttps://www.lennar.com/new-homes/texas/austin-central-texas/...

But if you prefer flexibility and higher impact, annual lump sums could work.

As to "taking control" you'll have to wait until there are board elections (typically annually although usually for part, not all of the board) and run yourself and people you control for the board seats.

Once I finished my undergraduate degree and moved out, I netted 15k annually from rent.

Those that respond “$0” or something ridiculous, you can request income documentation from them to justify.Don’t be afraid to share with them how much your property taxes & Insurance increased and that YOU cannot afford to absorb them.ALWAYS get an increase or something of value annually or tenants will start thinking they should never have an increase, making future increases that much more difficult to negotiate.

It can be, but they also have an annual fee option which is $499.