I recommend you do it yourself, @Helene Zernik.

I always recommend that you have significant cash before buying as real estate is cash intensive business

There are some markets that will write both together and if affordable, that would the way I would recommend going.   

I would recommend checking out Northwest Florida (Crestview, Niceville, Destin). 

I'm having a hard time finding any estimating tools for this kind of a project, adding a story and multiple BR/1 BA, and wondered if there were any tools, sites or recommendations any of you have for this kind of a project. 

I strongly recommend you suck up that $180 yourself and fix the underlying problem.

Would you recommend the PadSplit business model to others?

If you feel passionate about managing them yourself, I'd recommend getting as much done and communicated up front.

I’m open to any advice, personal experiences, or recommendations for someone at the beginning of their real estate journey!

We have a clause in our lease that plumbing clogs not caused by mechanical/material defects in the plumbing will be charged to the tenant, and if your lease doesn't have similar I would recommend such a clause.