Hi Ben,Get a few more bids, and make sure you do not buy services you do not need.In other words, find the lowest cost package of services that meet you needs.Walk the property with each pest bidder and if they point out things to fix, such as lids on garbage cans, holes caulked up in the siding, resident unwashed dishes in sink that should not be there...etc...Photo them with your phone and fix them.Be wary of the neighbors pets and kids when they prescribe a solution for you.

I got a chance to work with her on one of her properties here in AK and not only did she have a fantastically managed property but she was exceptionally solution minded and great to deal with on the transaction.

You mentioned a cosigner for the income/work experience piece (parent), and yes that is the right solution.

I'm planning to use it as an STR, so that gave me the leeway to use some creative finishes and solutions.

These are normally setup for short term financing solutions so you can move fast to purchase, refinance into long term loans, then use your cash to buy some more or invest into rehabs...

Hi @Johnson Liv, The long-term solution would be to have language in your lease that protect you from a) prohibiting people who are not on the lease from living there, or b) limiting how many people per bedroom are allowed. 

Unfortunately this and low rates have created a real affordability crises and debt that is the stickiest type of debt (besides student loans)New government solution of the day incentive for selling your house 😆😆 They subsidize credit.

This dynamic is causing a shrinking supply of the most affordable housing solution in America, at a time when the demand for affordability has never been higher.

If it's there, painters have primers they can use to (try to) cover the smell (the primers I know of have a heavy solvent smell for X hours and are not for pet or human occupied dwellings).You could offer two solutions (recommend air fresheners be used if they stay, AND (before move in) offer to let them out of the lease).

Again I thank you for your feedback but anyways... the solution for wanting management fees to be lower is to either 1) question and find out what services and quality you're getting that will justify them or 2) try to find another PM that already has the price point set at what you're looking for.