Both of these allow you to stay in control and use your own contractors, while eliminating the time and hassle.Property management software:  There are many free or low-cost PM software companies that have a maintenance section.

(Costly but will eliminate need of gas bill, can tie into electric).The money I see is in the expansion over the next 2 years. 10 more units, 14 storage units, and on site laundry(already plumbed).

The lease end date is blank, he rent is blank, clauses blank and blank are eliminated or changed in the following ways, and these clauses are added. 

You can't eliminate all risk from owning RE and if that is what you are trying to do then you should invest in something where someone can't sue you like stocks or bonds. 

It eliminates mortgage insurance.  

I think people are blowing it out of proportion. 2, it will eliminate weak agents from markets (In my Opinion)

Like you mentioned the remaining credit is applied to the principle if you pay off the loan or refinance (which is likely, since you are probably going to refinance to eliminate the PMI in the next 1-4 years) as opposed to a permanent buydown where you cannot recoup the permanent buydown aka paying points. 

Thankfully, and it's no coïncidence, the places where I end up investing are great for lifestyle.My pricing criteria eliminates Canada, Northern Europe and Oceania.My tourism criteria eliminates Africa.I eliminate Asia, including and up to the Middle East because, in most countries, foreign owners are treated second-class and that has serious implications from a risk point of view.

These can usually be reduced or eliminated by absorbing a higher interest rate or buying out in upfront 'points.'

This way, you will eliminate the custodian completely with its fees, red tape, etc.