Unless it is a high end rental I wouldnt spend the time or money to stage it.

I see no reason to return the app fee as you did spend time to.

Our second triplex we bought fully rented (after the rehab the rented it) so had CF from Day 1 and luckily 2 of the 3 tenants renewed.We hire out snow removal but do our own lawn care so in summer I we spend 1 day a month at the property mowing the lawn.

We spend more money on maintenance and upkeep to our buildings but it pays back dividends with limited turnover.

Each office is independently owned and operated.Your broker assumes some responsibility for your actions and that is why some will oppose you spending all of your time doing things that don't benefit their business.

He lives in Buffalo, NY and spends the Winter in Fort Lauderdale and he is Italian.

You will want to look for smaller banks--assets of $250 million to $7 Billion.

Does $5000 include flight, hotel, and all your spending money?

A lot depends on your goals.Here is a previous thread that may give you some answers.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/55/topics/103905-another-newbie-question---if-you-had-400k-how-would-you-spend-itYou also need to decide how active or passive you want to be.

I have indeed begun listening to the podcasts and have been spending a lot of time reading here.