I couldn't find any readily available services for small properties (mine is technically a "house hack" because my property is a SF residence with a mother in law suite and a separate carriage house. i'm small potatoes to bigger companies), so I'll need to install my own water and electrical submeters. any suggestions?   

That was definately the meat and potatoes of it.

I'm trying to get a lawyer to help, but this is small potatoes and having a hard time getting one interested.

If you immerse yourself in the topic, you'll pick it up through osmosis. 

Our little portfolio definitely looks like very small potatoes compared to what you'd up to, great job!

Or in better terms " the game of hot potatoes"- who or which investor is getting stuck holding the bag.

When you play the appreciation game, it's like playing hot potato.

(Not many of those around anymore)Potato stuffed in an exhaust pipe.

My parents ran a very profitable rental business for over 40 years,, they were meat and potato style apartments that were always full, they did all their own work, mowing, shoveling, painting, court filing, rent collecting and bookkeeping..

(As a new learner and no immediate $$$ to invest, I might be too much in the "small potatoes" category for anyone to waste too much time with me.)Mary