Also, if you're going to survive as a DIY landlord, you need to become accustomed to tenants being lazy & stupid, playing stupid to set you up for a mistake they benefit from and out and out lying and being manipulative to get what they want.

@Joe Ruggiero - The cheapest way is DIY, but the most efficient is using one of the yellow letter mailing companies. 

But, the AC unit ended up being stolen before the cage was installed.

Forgot to mention that they installed a brand new 40-year roof.Also, this would be me and my wife's first rental property. 

The better way to sell would be to use a Monetized Installment Sale.

The sign on bonuses might sound tempting also but they will be paid in installments most of the time and Uncle Sam is going to take a pretty sizable chunk before you even see it.

If you're handy and granite slab is beyond your price point granite tile is a good DIY.

It's been a few hours and I need to get this scheduled.I also need to get some new countertops installed- would appreciate recommendations on where I may find the best deals on laminate and installation. 

If you install new grass, those dogs are just going to destroy it anyway.

Expensive way is to buy simplisalfe, and install it and pay the 15 dollars a month for monitoring, will run you about 400 bucks.