For the most Service has been responsive, they're adding more functionality, though wish I could track maintenance/repair requests and service fees for rent, but the cash management is what's keeping me here for now.

Any expenses you put in to renovation or repairs are not deductible, but must be capitalized after the property is in service. 

Most cost effective option I have found.Guest breaks a refillable container, no problem , $5 or less to repair.

@Ryan BrayHUD will not turn on the utilities and my guess is you are outside your 15 day window where you could at your own expense provided that the PCR report did not find anything that would prevent it.Your option is to ask your lender if there is any work around such as an escrow for repairs or an as-is appraisal. 

$1,200,000 purchase price and the balance for closing costs, repairs and reserves.There are ways to obtain financing in Mexico, but most sellers are expecting cash deals.

@Hsin-I Hsu  Owning a $2.5M house can be an expensive commitment, not just because of the upfront down payment but also due to the ongoing expenses for repairs, maintenance, and upgrades that inevitably come with homeownership.Renting at $5K a month, especially for a 4-bedroom house in the Bay Area, seems like a solid deal.

Run a good business, keep you properties in good repair, have good paperwork.

Aside from the risk of taking on the property with tenants, you may also have to purchase site unseen which makes it tough to calculate repair costs. 

I have enough personal income that I can pay for cap ex and repairs if I need to (most people can't, and shouldn't, do this unless their W2 income can support it).

You get built in property management which makes dealing with repairs easier.