For Example, maybe you can add a line to your lease agreement that says, tenant will take care of the lawn upkeep and if it is damaged, they will re sod it at their cost, you could add quarterly inspections 

Consider all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

I was initially told there was an HOA but eventually found out it's not active and there's a lady who lives somewhere on the street that pays a lawn company to cut and trim everyone's yard. 

Is lawn care the responsibility of the tenant?

@Jose Almonte  In the multiple states, where we have rental houses, the tenants pay for all utilities, shovel the snow, mow the lawns, and take care of minor maintenace. 

thanks for the feedback on the podcast @Matt F.Looks like you and I have similar rituals - my lawn takes approximately one podcast length to mow.

Keeping your payments artificially low seems great until you need the coverage and there is non because you made a material mis-representation in the contract.

Now that I have a property manager, I heard the %18 and believed that to be the total expense without realizing the additional (cleaning fee, lawn care, state taxes, pool care), etc...so the effective rate is much larger and my net take home much less than I anticipated.

The property is in Oak Lawn, im trying to build a team out there, thanks!

. ■ Mortgage ( 20% down so no PMI ) ■ HOA■ Electricity ■ Gas ( None because new construction house has electric stove ) (Everything is electric )■ Water Bill ■ Camera Security system ■ internet ■ Lawn Care■ Regular Maintenance □ Will I need to pay for " Trash " ?