I've watched the repair orders drop dramatically over the past year and half while putting this in place.

In person is better than over the phone if possible, as I have been told by annoyed or lazy clerks "NO STR allowed" as that was the easy button to get me off the phone, or if they are anti STR. 

I don't see AI pounding nails, or repairing a high wire power line....maybe taking fast food orders....but not flipping the burgers.

The management company has replied that they don't coordinate with neighbors and just want me to cover the cost of all the repairs. 

I'm looking to stay away from fixer upper BUT I'm ok with general repairs and small work like paint and flooring.

I also do a pre-screening questionnaire over the phone before I agree to a showing.

@Scott LorenceThe advantages to renting to college students are that they generally leave after a few years so you can do repairs or updates, you can raise rents on a regular schedule, they will pay a premium to be near campus, and if you get engineering students they tend to fix the small stuff on their own.

Commissions would be 5% or $50k plus repairs, moving out my furniture etc.

-While rent would be more expensive month by month, the idea of being able to take my equity out of my home and also being able to reduce annual repair costs, property taxes, etc. does seem appealing to me. 

I wanted to work with someone who was going to pick up the phone when I called.From your first interaction with a broker/seller, show through your words and actions that you are honest and reliable.Lesson 4️⃣ - Buyers and sellers become business partners.I truly think one of the biggest oversights in due diligence is the seller themselves.