Occasionally, wife hired a contractor to perform tasks she could not complete herself.

Roofs hold up pretty well here and the occasional severe weather we get [thunder/hail] can shorten roof life but it is also often addressed with insurance claims 

When I did high-end building, I would do the occasional 'Green' project, including LEEDs, all the way to full Off-Grid.My thoughts - 1) It is a really expensive way to build.

They need to understand a generic estimate cannot adjust for problems or inaccuracies that a real appraiser would note.How could Zillow ever know the difference between an extravagantly updated or a really "hammered" interior?

I do occasional Fix & Flips, but mostly Sub To, Wraps, Lease Options and Land Contracts.

I would occasionally receive bills for the exact amount of the prior month (ie, 44.32 for June and 44.32 for July).

Most people would rather due the pet rent but you get the other occasionally too! 

@Rochelle Wilkinson, you truly do inspire me.As a newbie, I love to read stories such as these.It can be a scary thing going into this as a newbie just hoping to get decent tenants.For the most part I do have decent tenants, but those in one unit occasionally try to push my buttons, which I have done well to stand firm, but I cannot tell you how many times I almost feel like throwing in the towel because of these 2.I purchased the property and took over their lease, so they have been on property for a lot longer than I have owned it and try to push their weight around, not to mention I am a young investor so I think that sometimes makes them think they can push me around.Hanging in there though and thanks to people like you and all other BP members I can go about this not feeling so alone or like a fish out of water.Mistakes Landlords make (This may have already been mentioned, but these 2 I would say have been top on my list as I have not had issues with the screening or tenants paying):Skipping the routine inspections.I currently undertake 4 inspections during the lease term (move-in inspection; 2 in the course of the lease term and a move-out inspection).Some may deem this over-kill but for me, it ensures that I catch and address any issues sooner rather than later.Treating tenants like your buddies.You must be able to separate business from personal and know when to draw the line else tenants will walk all over you.

Actually forgot about it for sometime, but recent conversations, occasional HGTV shows on Netflix with the family, relationships with real estate folks in my church, as well as new connections with folks in my area has really gotten my interest peaked to the point of planning and action.

I do this for a living and I have issue occasionally but am set up to handle you will get harpooned in a deal that does not work.There are way to many lending OPs on the west coast that will make this return much safer etc.you should ping Charlie and see what he offers  start there learn the trade .