21 years ago I decided that I didn't want Property Management to a full-time job even though I was going to self-manage each property.Now I have 28 apts with 60 or so tenants in 8 multi-family buildings in Brooklyn, NYC.I use a LOT of technology including electronic rent collection, electronic locks, internet controlled Thermostats, WiFi Cameras, Cloud Based CRM, Electronic Signatures (DocuSign), automated expense payments, etc.

I was thinking things like maybe a Nest thermostat or Ring doorbell -- something that is a few hundred dollars but that most houses won't have and will give me an edge over the competition.  

We had what we think was a ghost or squatter who kept opening windows after they were closed, turn up and down the thermostat and put socks on the ceiling fan blades.

Or you can raise the rents and include the utilities but then there is no incentive for the tenants to be conservative with the thermostat.

I live in Texas and don't know anyone that sets their thermostat to 72.

The Lender is requiring me to have an HO3 policy, however, I am having trouble finding an insurance company to give me an HO3 policy because they speculate that the pipes are prone to freeze and burst in winter due to the home not being controlled by a thermostat.

In a DUPLEX upper level has control of thermostat for air conditioning. 

By Kari Klaus, Founder of RealtySage.comIf you’ve upgraded your home in the past 10 years then you’ve probably added smart technology like NEST thermostats, or why you chose Alexa powered lights and Ring doorbells and likely some energy efficient or water saving features.

You can install a light switch to operate the fan, or you can purchase a 24-volt / 110 volt relay and install a thermostat in the unit.

The AC unit has a smart thermostat that allows them to adjust whatever temperature they would like (the smart thermostat is located in their unit).