It sounds like you’ve got an exciting plan mapped out, and I love that you’re thinking of starting a property management business while building your own portfolio—that’s a smart move.

Implementing water-saving initiatives is a smart way to reduce utility costs.

Definitely a smart move to consider some out-of-state options before diving into a first investment property. 

I would also try to minimize expenses through decreasing cleaning costs, installing smart tech like a thermostat to control utility costs, etc.5.

It might be worth talking to a lawyer but not sure if it's small claims or worth it.Also, you might already have all of these things but for future prevention:- smart thermostat (so you receive alerts when the inside temperature dips below whatever preset you have)- Minut (or similar device) would also alert you to the inside (and outside) temperatures; for example, I have 2 devices inside the house and outside on the hot tub deck.

We hope to get into real estate investing by flipping homes, but we also understand it’s smart to diversify a little and have some longer term goals like rental properties.

The real issue is that they didn’t have a plan to monitor usage or set up protections to minimize costs during the eviction process.Ideally, the PM could’ve done things like:Limit access to unnecessary areas to reduce power use.Install smart thermostats to keep heat at a safe minimum.Request a utility cap in court during eviction proceedings (if allowed in your area).Bottom line: It’s less about the utility switch itself and more about proactively managing costs once the tenant overstayed.bro what? 

I'd also reach out to the tenants and let them know to direct the payments to them though any smart tenant would only do that after talking to the PM.

but it also has a couple shortfalls: - Low to fair rents at best - Low rent appreciationI bought fairly smart, but still not smart enough to consider it an immediate good return.

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