Cutting expenses is smart too, but nobody ever got rich by nickel and diming themselves into misery.  

It lets you walk through a property on a mobile device, select areas that need work, and then input the cost and send out the contracts to your contractors.

Those guys can then view their individual workorder lists from their mobile devices.

So I have this older house, bought as a student rental for my own son and his buddy/roommates, all of whom have lots of electronic devices (computers, laptops, xBoxes, projectors, phone chargers, etc etc).  

Would it be smart to:  pay one of my parents utility bills (and have them reimburse me?) 

it's smart to think of the downside risk as well as the upside.From my experience intermingling of family finances in this way is not a good idea.There's got to be other ways for you to get started?

@Barry Ruby, you are exactly right that only FEMA isn't keeping there "flood risk" current (likely more people and properties are exposed to risk, however only the smart carry flood insurance. 90 percent of those flooded in both Harvey and Florance didn't have flood coverage because they thought they were safe since they were not required to carry flood insurance by their lender Cost of flood insurance for areas that are not required can be as low as $62.50 a month maybe even lower.

I think you are smart to focus on NWI for the reasons you mention, and that there are just better opportunities. 

Like you said, basically every electric device needs a grounding conductor that is bonded (electrical connected) to the main house ground (ground rod or ufer). 

I use the accounting software in my property management software, Smart Property Systems.