For instance, the landlord gave them verbal permission to paint the unit.

Sort of a paint by numbers for beginners.

Maybe start wearing dirty sneakers and jeans with paint on them when getting quotes and bringing your car in for service, see how that goes. ...just playfully thinking out loud here...Just curious, what is the year, make and model of your car you referenced about the brake repair?

I can do 5 "Subject To's" in 5 months and make $100,000 without contractors, zoning, delays, carrying costs, banks , weather delays, decisions on paint colors, decisions on tile for the upstairs spare bathroom, etc, etc, etc.

You can also talk to a property management company but they tend to paint a rosier picture bc they want your business.

By the time you paint, make repairs, clean, pay for advertising and vacancies you could be well over 2K or 3K dollars. 

Some new floors, paint and cabinets maybe should really spruce the place up.Is this a good path to take?

It's in a newly build townhomes and some of them were sold for around 150-170k in the last few years.It's in super condition..good paint, new appliances.

Now no more frustration.You can obviously evict the tenant but be prepared for that major turnover expense as well; paint, carpet, cleaning, landscaping, utilities, repairs, etc.As far as PM's doing extra work chasing non-payers; 100% they do extra work.

Mostly cosmetic like carpets, paint, light fixtures would be the biggest things.