Another way they are making money: Offering to market our properties to their mailing list of turnkey buyers.Another $1k down the drain.

Sewer Cabling/Drain Cleaning: When there's a blockage, usually paid by the owner unless the tenant caused it.

@Patrick Roane, as you can see there is no clear answer, per se.That being said, if owning the property outright drains all your reserves, I would at least consider a small mortgage, so you can keep some money in reserve.  

This is a typical roof drain.

Something draining cash that I propose to take over and pay the owner some extra cash, that I can’t understand.  

If you are going to be active, and have high conviction in a project with a clearly defined entry/exit strategy then using a HELOC is one of the better sources of capital.But, I continue to have my stance that, on average, folks who use a HELOC to fund the down payment for long-term investments will eventually find themselves in a situation where their portfolios drain their personal financial situations, rather than fueling them. 

There are far fewer opportunities for leaks to develop in the drain plumbing under the sink when there are less than half the amount of joints within the plumbing.  

People think it's inexpensive to install a Washer & Dryer, but getting the gas, electrical, water, and drain/vent there is usually quite expensive.Here in Chicago, we always want to be at the top of the market regardless of the competition, so we almost always install a W/D when we renovate our properties, even in some of the less desirable neighborhoods.

The contractor suggested building a French drain along the fence line and finishing it off with a retainer wall to match the others the builder did.

I bought a new 4 Runner last year and its just such a draining all day experience with that old model.