As we all know the market has slowed down due to the credit crunch, valuations and underwriting guidelines, so I have branched off a bit and have several deals working in Costa Rica, St.

keys cost a couple of dollars. 

My experience with property managers was that they cost a lot more than the monthly fee. 

I agree get an attorney, it might cost a bit more, but you get the expertise you need, just like not doing your own HVAC. 

They cost a lot more than their monthly fees - as they will charge fees to find tenants, deal with bad tenants, find new tenants, supervise repairs, on and on.  

A new bathroom will probably cost a lot more than new floors, painting the interior, maybe painting the kitchen cabinets, adding new hardware, and updating the old bath. 

The broken pipe can be fixed quickly but the roof and foundations require extensive labor and cost. As

If it's a tenant's top choice, they will rearrange their schedule to make that showing work.I send automatic text and email reminders on the showings, which has reduced my no shows by 80% -- anyone who is going to cancel clicks on the [Cancel Showing] button.Balloons and waters -- they don't cost a lot (so not a horrible idea), but rentals are much different than the buy/sell market.

You will be responsible for the inspection cost,  as the bank won't pay anything to fix anything.    

It could cost a couple bucks to install the slabs but so would a quality paint job on the cabinets...