Are you in the preliminary stages of real estate investing?  

You're in a learning stage, which is great!

Real estate is not passive income and you should not be advising her at this stage.

BP connects you (via the site) to other investors who are roughly in the same stage of investing as you are (newbie vs. investors w/ 1 - 4 properties vs. those who are highly experienced, etc.).

In the past 3 years, I have been blessed to accumulate a small portfolio of multi-family properties (3 duplexes) and 1 single family town home that has produced me consistent cash flow in excess of my lifestyle expenses.

@Tamara Deering When I said comparable in every way I meant if the two were both in their finished stages. 

Below are some things I have thought of doing but would appreciate your thoughts and things that you have done.Post MLS, Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com (I already have great photos and staging)Have open house next weekend sat and sun.

It is in the idea stage and am looking for input of what metrics to track.I do not have any answers, only questions.Your data is going to be the first variable and will diminish in value with age. 

I thought $40k was excessive and wanted to run this by others.

Hi Adam,Globally speaking: How many houses have you prepped and rented in Cleveland to Clevelanders vs how many have they.You hired and are paying for their expertise as well as their labor.You may think they are railroading your money (maybe they are--it happens), but other PM's in here in that market seem to think what's bugging you is SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).This business requires unforeseen cash outlays from time to time--sometimes way in excess of $550--like a new roof that blew off in a storm.Maybe, make more calls and talk more to the manager to keep a heads up on whats happening (at least at first) when you are bringing the unit online.Did you ask the manager on the phone, where in the contract it allows them to bill out the over $550 (???)