Since it sounds like just a handful of locations, I would experiment with some repair strategies.

-repairs and cap-ex can be the most challenging aspect for new investors, there are no standard rates that will work across the board. $200/mo is a safe bet for a SF of this size for cap-ex, and your repair estimate looks ok.

For them, there was very low risk, because they knew how to gauge the after-repair value and set terms in their favor. 

Doing my first few repairs on my third door, 🤞🏽 I can stay on budget. 

Not making these repairs is not an option, you can't just not fix things or you lose tenants and suffer vacancy loss, potentially have legal problems, and just end up with more differed maintenance/ bigger issues over time if you don't stay on top of repairs. 

., mortgage payments, repairs,maintenance)I'd appreciate any insights you have on reliable and user-friendly tools that meet these needs.

We then spent around $30,000 out of pocket on renovations, including repairing the roof, upgrading the electric panel, installing new HVAC, and putting in a new kitchen.After completing the work, we refinanced with LendingOne using a 30-year fixed-rate DSCR product at around 7%, which resulted in a net cash-out of approximately $15,000.A couple of things to note:I'm out of pocket on this property for around $40,000 ($25k down, $30k rehab, minus $15k recaptured).I'm thrilled with this amount since it's far less than our "normal" 25% down strategy would require based on the higher value.The property appraised for $330,000 after the renovations.The key point for me is that this property is now netting around $800/month in cash flow.

In my mind PM HAS to make money on repairs etc.

Repaired, reconfigured, and replaced most of the house.

You are only budgeting 3% for repairs and that might be ok immediately after a rehab, but a few years later that may be back up around the typical 5% that most people cite as a reasonable amount to budget. 6.