This is the first house where we are going to paint the exterior, and we need to pick a color.

As a Realtor in Miami (and based on the properties that I've listed for rent or worked with the tenant to lease), the properties that have Washer / Dryer already installed (as opposed to just the hook ups) are more desirable and rent quicker and for top dollar (people pay for little luxuries and conveniences).

Which area will inflate faster, vacancy factor, area that is growing(sunny states as opposed to MI) or many other factors.

And by that I mean, if a contractor gets killed on your job, and his widow if able to successfully argue that he was an employee as opposed to an independent contractor (which is MUCH easier without an ICA), you can be sued for everything you've got...and you'll probably lose, as it's unlikely you were carrying insurance for that guy that you didn't consider to be an employee...If so, I doubt they will try to cheat you to bad....LOL Good Luck, Bill As I said earlier, getting cheated is the least of my concerns.

The guy had to run 220v electrical to the outside unit and run the two linesets through the brick exterior of the house.The units never worked very well.

I am also not opposed to looking for other short term ways to make money in real estate this year that will replace the paycheck I once gave myself from my previous business.Hope to learn a lot and make some great connections.Thanks,Andrew

Apex Exterior Solutions.

It sounds like you want to diversify your portfolio as opposed to invest in RE.

I could have spent about 25% more on siding to get pre-primed and used half as much exterior paint plus probably 30 fewer man hours! 

This seems like a good entry point as opposed to coming up with 30% down payment for a non-owner occupied SFR.