I am doing a job in Shaker Heights OH for which I currently have 150% of budget in escrow with the town housing dpt.I can only get the funds released once violations are rectified.

there were 2 studies released recently comparing the initial cost of owning versus renting.  

I contacted my lender and she said that unless the old contractor signs a release, I cannot switch contractors.

Also Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac just released a 5% down conventional on an owner occupant as well hence they are out there, however just be prepapred to live in the property for a year.

Create a lien release and tell him if he signs it and sends it to you, you will send him $40K.  

Although it seems like again the income locking situation would be an issue as all properties are going to use bank accounts under the LLC and the LLC is going to have all of its accounts locked by opposing counsel until the owner could get it released by the court to some partial extent- possibly???

The new contracts are not release yet but here is how it is going to work:* Buyer's are required to sign a agreement with their agent that sets a commission amount* Seller's will sign a listing agreement only for the listing agent's commission* Offers to purchase will include a buyer's agent commission amount* Offers will be presented as net to the seller* Buyer's may have to cover the difference between their contract commission amount with their agent and what the seller is willing to pay.One important thing to note is when we run comps on the MLS both commissions were always included, so that needs to be adjusted if a seller is not willing to pay a commission. 

They also have a "reserve" fee in which they collect 10% of every credit card transaction and hold it for 90 days before releasing it back. 

First is experience handling property management, are they themselves investors, processes for handling maintenance, evictions, collects, and then maybe the fees and pricing (commission, lease fee, release fee, inspection fees, and all of the other garbage fees most PM's make up).

If I have had a negative tenant experience (late payments, hostility, drug use, damaging property, etc) one of the options available is for me not to release.