Maybe this is the true root of my frustration. 

The reason is rooted in our DNA and is not a fixable thing.

Indeed, it is for this reason that I typically only advise joint tenancy for spouses.To the root of your question, perhaps it would make sense in your situation to take title in the name of an entity, you and your tenants pay fair rent for whatever portion of the property you inhabit, and then you and your brother split net profits after paying expenses (essentially refunding you part of what you paid after expenses have been satisfied).

Bath towels would go, along with soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc. 

Works wonders.In my experience this fixes 75% of the root cause of water issues, and even when it doesn't get ALL the water out, in unfinished basements you often barely see a trickle after that.. 

But the distinction between normal wear and tear vs. damage is the root cause of most landlord/tenant disagreements. 

People jump on the soap box and rant and rave about cash flow, but what are they really defending?

This is fun, like a soap opera, without the commercials.

Available in 5 gal buckets and we always have some in stock.Bathrooms, floor to ceiling tile, no soap dished in the bath, tenants sometimes use them to get out of the tub, or stand on them to shave their legs, and pull them out enough for water to get behind them.No bathroom window in the shower, it is a leak waiting to happen.The end result for us, is that when a tenant moves out, it is a quick clean of the tile floors, fix the holes in the walls, touch up the paint job, re-caulk where needed and the units look wonderful, immaculate, and rent easily.

then find out where they live, preferences to school. ex. they work in city but live in suburb because there are public transport or the commute is good.as a first timer, i would prefer a couple/family because i got burnt by a random 3 girls that never met, and a bachelor that had no roots and can up and leave.once you find that niche, buy it at good price and location location location.