About the same as if you rent it, less costs.

Are there other, more cost-effective alternatives to gain similar support and knowledge?

I am doing my best to accommodate and fix the insulation as well as see if there are programs in place to lower the cost. however i want to be firm with tenant as they are not compliant with paying rent because of the cost of the utilities.

TIAHi Dawn, regarding your occupancy, with in effective dynamic pricing policy, you should still be able to beat the market while weeding out “bad” guests. 

The city is among a number of nodes for Tesla suppliers popping up throughout the Austin metro as a result of the so-called "Tesla effect" — which is shorthand for the trend of electric vehicle suppliers flocking to the region in response to Tesla's mammoth presence in eastern Travis County, where it has a gigafactory and headquarters.

One effective strategy to maximize unit potential is to explore opportunities for adding extra units, especially in C-Class properties.

Here are additional comments:1) Buying out of state removes any local knowledge you have from assisting in your success, including knowing areas, people and costs. - We always recommend buying your first rental locally if possible and DIY managing to learn as much as possible before investing OOS.2) Lots of crooks and incompetents in the PMC world:( They both cost you money.- As already stated, you'll have a small portfolio.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

It's hard to guess how soon regulations will become effective.

This is effectively legislation to open up the market to new prospects.