My understanding with this is they are generally responsible for rent collection, tenant management, repairs & maintenance (small landscaping, supervision of subcontractors - which I approve and the bill is then send to me), maintaining records and such.Being my first month with my first property I was a bit surprised to see the 8% fee in addition to-Meet electrician for repairs and updates to fire alarm. 1.5 hours- $50Trip and installation charge for unit 1 window (without cost of materials)- $35Repair broken handrails (without cost of materials)- $30Cut and trim, clean loose debris- $35Unit 4 late rent collection (time contacting, travel to meet)- $25This adds $175 to the 8% ... my question is- what then is the 8% for?

A contractor who takes on a larger project and supervises the various individual trades like plumbers and electricians.

If a friend can not be found locally, then a good mentor will save you a lot of money (even if it costs a little), but they should not stay with you, but direct you on how to improve your building at those leaky spots and maybe even return (after a while) to make sure you have not sprung any leaks eslewhere.But in my start I just went out and did without any help to prove to my brother that what he was thinking of could be done, but he did not need the GURU's supervision and "mentoring".I succeeded in getting started in investing this way and proved to myself that even us doers will at some point need to stop doing and READ to educate ourselves on how to stop those leaks or we will indeed fail as well.So wheather your start as "hands on" or "reading" , both will be needed to be done and I will add one more phase to prevent failure and that is the use of COMMON SENSE to know when to stop and get help (for us doers) or stop reading and get started (for the readers).Plus the use of that COMMON SENSE to look back and realize you have leaks or havent yet started instead of just continuing doing the do'ing or reading and not realizing that you are going down in flames.

My busy months are the summer and while I can hire people for one day, they are not people I have worked with before and I cant be at all of my properties to supervise and once.

Since then, he's only show up once to the job site, but has sent subs (which I had to direct / supervise).

This is what can be done in Illinois: Answer the telephone, take messages, and forward calls to a licenseeSubmit listings and changes to an MLSFollow up on a transaction after a contract has been signedAssemble documents for a closingSecure public information documents from a courthouse, sewer district, water district, or other repository of public informationHave keys made for a company listingDraft advertising and promotional materials for approval by a licenseePlace advertisingRecord and deposit earnest money, security deposits, and rentsComplete contract forms with business and factual information at the direction of and with approval by a licenseeMonitor licenses and personnel filesCompute commission checks and perform bookkeeping activitiesPlace signs on propertyOrder items of routine repair as directed by a licenseePrepare and distribute flyers and promotional information under the direction of and with approval by a licenseeAct as a courier to deliver documents, pick up keys, etc.Place routine telephone calls on late rent paymentsSchedule appointments for the licensee (does not include making phone calls, telemarketing, or performing other activities to solicit business on behalf of the licensee)Respond to questions by quoting from published informationSit at a property for a broker tour that is not open to the publicGather feedback on showingsPerform maintenance, engineering, operations, or other building trades work and answer questions about such workProvide securityProvide concierge services and other similar amenities to existing tenantsManage or supervise maintenance, engineering, operations, building trades, and securityPerform other administrative, clerical, and personal activities for which a license is not requiredIn Illinois, an unlicensed assistant may NOT perform the following tasks:Host open houses, kiosks, home show booths, or fairsShow propertyInterpret information on listings, titles, financing contracts, closings, or other information related to a real estate transactionExplain or interpret a contract, listing, lease agreement, or other real estate document with anyone outside the employing licensee’s firmNegotiate or agree to any commission, commission split, management fee, or referral fee on behalf of a licenseePerform any other activity for which a real estate license is required

They are generally used/paid on a job or task basis and not supervised by you...

Closely supervise your contractors work (If your able to do so without being in their way) , and try to learn from what they do.

If it is over ten thousand, a permit is likely and hire an architect to supervise because he can place a stop work order.

If you are flipping, yes, you need to be there to supervise etc.