This keeps vacancy and turnover down (resulting in lower maintenance too), and tenants tend to behave because they know your place is a hot commodity.

And although all people, not just realtors, should behave ethically, I have known my fair share of shady salespeople, real estate agents included, who just want to close a deal, regardless of the best interest of the buyer. 

They behave more like a business than a RE asset.  

That being the case you should be have a clause in the lease that allows for a 5-7% increase in the utility cost with a built in 10% profit of their usuge on a submetered basis.You’ll be making 10% on top of the bill and another 5-7% compunded every year. 

And I would argue any day that humans behave in illogical and unpredictable ways, and will do so forever into the future.The fact that predictions come from everywhere, on both sides of the bet, and every year/month/day doesn’t in itself make these predictions invalid.

1-4 units falls under regular conventional Fannie/Freddie so 30 year amortization is standard.You shouldn't be having a problem getting this loan unless you don't qualify for conventional financing.5+ unit goes through commercial/portfolio lenders and most are 20-25 year amortization but 30 does exist.

Some of them are responsible adults and will do everything to the letter of the agreement, and some of them will behave like children and test, challenge, and play you every step of the way.Some of what I say next depends on your market and your tolerance for shenanigans.

I will be having someone look at the wood floors to see if they are worth refinishing to cut costs or not.

I hope yours will behave the same way, but you need to ditch them regardless.Find a new manager first.

You give them jobs and see how professional they behave....