using a mechanical lock box works great for vendors, but I would never give a code, even a 1 time code with an electronic box or lock, you would be trusting the viewer of the property to turn off lights and actually close the door, I think you are taking a lot of risk this way, I had a vendor that left a door open, fortunately i got there before all the pipes froze, some PEX was frozen when I got there, Just be careful, I would Highly recommend paying a manager, they are worth their fee without question.  

Reasoning could be based on the mortgage repayment ability of your salary or ensuring you don't transfer the asset to your wife as a protective mechanism (there could be more reasons why they'd want her as guarantor but those are some major reasons).

Age of mechanicals, heating, plumbing, electric24. 

I used to be a mechanic and still have a decent space to do small repairs for a small clientel. unfortunately because I do allot of automotive work and I'm generally just loud by nature, I don't think that renting a room out would be a good idea for me. plus I typically have a hard time trusting people in my home. luckily we just paid off both of our vehicles so we are starting to get our overall bad debt down to a more manageable number. as things begin to become more stable, what are some of your paths that have lead to financial Independence?

Even worse is them filing a mechanics lien or judgement against you.

Trying to have us tell you what your rights are is like a mechanic telling you how to fix your car over the phone when you say it sounds funny.

However, after that he needed me file a permit, provide a floor plan, and get electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire department signatures.

Learn the rules and regulations of the very business you're planning to get into.Would you want a mechanic to try and fix your breaks first, then only after you complain that they don't work to do the research on how to do the job?

Being a mechanical engineer I won’t hold the fact that you’re a electrical engineer against you ha.

The houses all have the same pattern it seems with flooring needed to be replaced, painting in and out, yard clean up, and usually some mechanical repairs such as toilets and kitchen faucets replaced, etc.This 6k to 10k fix up cost is pretty predictable and how much we paid for the house doesn't seem to have much impact.