We have a collective view of the income/expenses (this allows us to possibly package this up to another investor down the road when we want).  

Leveraging is risky, but you gain the scale up element of # of units. 

I would prefer to look at agency that has and association with a tax accountant that can set up LLC, bank accounts etc possible as a package for foreign investors.Thank you.

I use AREIS 2.0 and it is very inexpensive and quite effective in calculating repair costs, it automatically imports comps, and creates an awsome package to present to buyers.

I have heard of folks going into homes and stealing copper, but after he had an entire appliance package stolen from not one but two jobs, it got me to thinking about the utility of installing a security system (this is a buy an hold).I have a relative who sells security systems so I contacted her to get some more information. 

Hands on investments" may have an element of risk, but being involved with friends and neighbors yields greater rewards than just ROI.Prudent loss management decisions and using professional risk underwriters can lessen the reality of exposure to financial risk.I applaud your personal actions and encourage you to be "a different kind" of financial planner.  

In fact, this relationship is generally built into most modern commercial package policies.  

Baseboard electric is also very robust- it's a heating element which converts current to abundant heat(basically the same thing an incandescent light bulb does, but without the light.)

@Deanna McCormick let me throw another element into the equation, the tenants were not properly screened by the management company that placed them.  

Some places like GoDaddy/HostGator are going to sell a package to wrap all of this into one.