If your property management company is good and has built an internal maintenance team which has set rates and had strong relationship relationships with licensed contractor which should keep costs in control, you should never need to shop contractors on your own I wouldn't think.So in short, our policy is give us your preferred contractors upfront if you have them, but then we work all tickets to resolution including dispatch, and payment of invoices.This is of course for operational expenses.  

It sounds like you may be a better fit for a smaller operation that still offers guided tours.

My job is to thoroughly vet the operator, analyze the market and analyze the deal - then I send the wire and my job is done. 

It's easier to scale with multifamily properties due to income potential and operations.

@Jay Hinrichs exactly the risk is even more than traditional development and the profit is actually less with more operational headaches.

Does anyone have any advice on effectively setting up temporary battery-operated cameras on a long-term rental property to deter break-ins and squatters while rent-ready repairs are being made before a tenant moves in?

This approach will allow you to focus on the financial benefits rather than the day-to-day operational tasks.Additionally, consider how this rental income will contribute to your overall financial picture.

These repairs are through a contracting company owned and operated by the PM. 

Some numbers:Expected 2026 income after raising rents to market value and assuming 7% vacancy: $144k.Expenses: $14k property management, $18k property tax, $10k insurance, $10k utilities, $8k in repairs/maintenance/advertising/admin/etc: Total operating expenses: $60kNOI: $84kBased on 6% cap rate that brings the valuation to only $1.4m, or $1.5m based on 5.5% cap rate.

We're relatively new STR owner/operator in Highlands and have been very pleasantly surprised with demand even outside the peak summer season.