Here is a guide for our water company that walks you through it:  https://www.portland.gov/water/water-efficiency-programs/fin...I'm guessing it would be pretty similar for you, and if you determine that there is a leak by looking at the meter, then you may want to hire the leak detection company.As someone else pointed out, maybe just ask your tenants as well if any toilets are running or "ghost flushing" or if they have noticed any drips.Good luck!

Quote from @Jeff Brogan: I would hire a trusted expert to get you real numbers, someone that does it in that area all the time (rents out properties/property management). 

I want to bring on one more top agent and also hire another admin to take more work of my plate.On a personal side, we are going on 6 trips each year (sounds amazing, but I still work more days in a year than in my former corporate life, because I usually don't get weekends off).

Many people start out active because they want exposure to real estate and don't know that you can start out passive - you can effectively hire the asset manager and supply capital to the investment.You can have great success as an active or a passive investor - but it is important to understand the difference and to select whichever option matches your skills and resources the best.Good luck!

This is great to learn @Katie Accashian   I just spoke with FF rep yesterday and of course they were heavy on the sales pitch to get me on there.  

Don't hire an agent if youre trying to avoid agent costs.

I can't emphasize this enough: it is absolutely crucial that you hire an agent or manager who knows the area before buying a student property here.

If I hired a builder, who would typically markup project about 20%, my costs would be $300k/door to $600k/door.  

This is usually the case if past owners did a poor job maintaining, and just hired the cheapest neighborhood handyman to patch everything. 

If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general.