I am glad you are getting some money back on this situation, but the fact remains that your PM was seriously negligent in this situation and oversaw the run up of this ridiculous and unreasonable bill.

Just a heads up for future reference.

Your property management background will give you a head start.

Any ideas how I can help these houses run smooth?

This company is completely on the up and up and is NOT a guru run operation! 

As long as you are coming out of pocket at around the same you would be renting somewhere else then you are still getting ahead in life because your tenants are helping pay down the loan and build your equity.You should also run an analysis putting in what the market rate rent would be of you did not live there.

Would be happy to run a revenue projection on all of your properties.

Hey @Kristin Solbach, first get the loophole thing out of your head.

My initial reaction is to tell you to get your head examined, but as I get older, I get kinder, so I’d like answers to the above questions before I tell you to get your head examined. 

  :)   Or marry a full-time Realtor.Are you going to run a syndication or just give them money to invest?