That said, if managing sounds overwhelming or you’re strapped for time, hiring a property manager from the start is a perfectly valid option.

It looks so wide and vast, I am overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

Read Gary Keller's The Millionaire Real Estate Investor for a deep dive on expenses. 

I used one frequently discussed in BP, TERRIBLE AND EXPENSIVE.

For a lot of people they will ve so overwhelmed and in shock that they just want to walk away.

I would make one distinction and that’s between an expense and a capital improvement. 

Most can't handle their own problems and it is overwhelming to some to deal with others problems on a longterm basis at the most inconvenienttimes.

My total expense ratio on each property I own ranges anywhere from 40%-50% annually, but I also self-manage and am not a slumlord (I am pro-active with maintenance, not reactive).

From that point forward, you can expense repairs and maintenance without capitalization. 

Venecia, I totally get it—there's so much content out there that it can feel overwhelming, and taking that first step can be really daunting.What I’d encourage you to do is really sit down and think: what's holding you back?