That would include the decision to go ahead and replace windows and sliders in 4 of the units which I would want to show in the capital expenditures for the year.

The more I reflect back on it and knowing that he's a type A go-getter, I think when I said we were interested in investing he went ahead and just threw us in that bucket.As far as not closing any deals with him, we had only secured him as our agent because we were looking for a rental property for ourselves.

This way if there is a liability claim against them you can file it and the check goes straight to you.

Just a heads up 

Have done this before, just not sure if it's a better plan that straight buy and hold.  

I grew up in construction and learned from my Dad: "never let a contractor get a nickel ahead of you." 

J Scott's books are straight to the point and extremely helpful.

Straight to the point.

We are also not doing fellow landlords any favors going forward, many of us probably wish we had gotten a heads up from a credit report from a repeat offender however I worry tenants are being conditioned to cash for keys since it is simpler and often cheaper for us. 

In a lot of cases, brokers are paid a commission vs a straight salary, so they may be willing to work a little harder to please you.