While you can always negotiate for reductions in contract services, building maintenance costs are going to be what they are, utilities will continue to creep up (tell him to expect a major increase in WASA costs in FY2016 if he's not already aware of it), and you need to make sure that reserves are being properly contributed to.  

I would normally want to put in all new appliances, just to cut out maintenance headaches, but hopefully the initial cost savings will make it worth it.I've also found good deals on used cabinetry at our local Habitat ReStore, both kitchens and bath vanities. 

Once you start managing more residents, but aren't quite ready to jump into a full on property management company, what do you suggest for a great maintenance request system?  

If we do not move the homes' deeds to the LLC, can we still use our LLC to manage (collected rent, maintenance, etc) our rental properties?

I have 11 more homes in this park, and have a trusted maintenance man who does all of the hard work.

Then asks me to pay the brother directly since my maintenance reserve went to the handy man. 

.: $200Total Expenses: $14,880NOI: $26,753Mortgage: 4.63% Debt Service: $18,026Cash Flow: $8,727Down Payment: $97,500CoC if Maintenance at $1,000: 8.9%CoC if Maintenance at $4,560: 5.3%The maintenance portion of the above is not fully vetted and could bring my CoC return lower.

My model does include an annual maintenance amount and a big ticket amount (capex  ie roof) and finally some utilities (I like to pay the water bill and lawn maintenance so the exterior always looks decent).  

When he moved out, he was instantly losing a minimum $350/month + repairs + maintenance + vacancies/non-payment- so he bailed.

A good preventive maintenance measure is that every time you have a vacancy, drain the hot water heaters.