I bought a gas one with honda motor because they last longer and are just better. 

Where would big auto be if there was no financing or leasing for cars.. we would all be scooting around on bikes and motor bikes like other countries that have no financing for autos  :) 

On washers, learn how to replace the motor coupler and the door safety switch. 

What are the loads in the house: electric baseboard heat; heat pumps; AC units; laundry; other motor loads.I am failing to see why you would need a 400 amp service without a proper load calculation.There is no code restricting the number of sub panels, they only have to have the correct install and protection.If I were in your shoes, I would connect with a licensed and insured electrician and ask for electrical audit. 

I got lucky awhile back and bought a house this spring that in only a few weekends I had ready and rented it for exactly what I thought i could and it is motoring right along. 

I’m working on them, but they are at retirement age and want to buy a motor home and travel.

The issue is that carpet is not really a suitable material for outside of a shower, so the solution to the problem is really yours not the tenants....as in I would be hard pressed to expect that a tenant should be subject to an opinion of what is a suitable sized floor mat for outside the shower....There is a bit of a subjectivity to the discoloration i.e. if they walked inside with motor oil on their shoes, obviously that is not a 'normal' level of soiling.

In addition to the items you mentioned, I have the HVAC serviced every spring including cleaning the condenser coils, lubricating the motors as needed and checking the refrigerant levels.

I also met many people looking to invest through some of my hobbies (boating clubs, motor enthusiast clubs, etc) - so golf / country clubs are probably good too (though I don't belong to any either of those). 

I saw the number 14000 on the news today, I'm guessing that's a total number for the 5 GM plants being shutdown.I drive by the Lordstown plant last week, and have worked in the town for 2 weeks.