Some COAs will have budgets for every big ticket item that's going to wear out and can pay them out of the monthly fees while others will hit the owners with a special assessment.

I already follow the Rocky Mountain Institute which is a company that promotes sustainability, with a special focus on profitable innovations for energy and resource efficiency... so it seems like your organization is right up my alley!

First, have a great team of people who can handle whatever you need, with a handyman/contracter as the centerpiece (and a good property manager too if you can't do it yourself) I think Michael Seeker hit it on the head with those 3 points.

It will be interesting to see how this trend takes shape in the next few years and if we see large scale development hit the ground anytime soon.

A new property has lower maintenance, probably better energy efficiency, and a longer life span than the older homes.

I am paying $225 per season, which includes the driveway, sidewalk, and the walkway from the drive to the porch.This is my first season with this company and so far they seem to be doing a good job, they work in Oakland County though so not sure if they would hit Redford.

Some pay for home warranties for this purpose but those are quite hit or miss (more miss than hit) so I don't use them.I have trusted trades or use Yelp or Angie's List as back-ups.Yes, you will have problems that require you to go a few trades deep to fix but that's part of the price of admission in my eyes.

Very hit or miss.

My handyman stated to not go with the cheaper ones because they do not heat efficiently but says the ones he recommends cost 200+ each.

Paul -- hope you hit your targeted profits on this deal!