This is the simplest method, but it also means your tenants are more likely to abuse the utilities by leaving windows open with the heat or A/C running, leaving lights on, ignoring the toilet that constantly flushes on its own, etc.3.

If the toilet breaks, not your problem.

New toilets.

This is the simplest method, but it also means your tenants are more likely to abuse the utilities by leaving windows open with the heat or A/C running, leaving lights on, ignoring the toilet that constantly flushes on its own, etc.3.

A 17-inch toilet is typically referred to as a "comfort height" or "chair height" toilet.

A good lease will have terms that require the tenant to notify the landlord immediately when any leaks or hazards are observed, and it will hold the tenant liable for damages that occur as a result of the tenant not notifying the landlord (for instance, if a toilet were leaking and flooding the bathroom, and the tenant didn't notify you for 5 days, and all that water seeped into the subfloor and caused rot and mold, you could potentially hold the tenant liable for their negligence--and have them pay not just to fix the toilet, but also to fix all the damage that could have been prevented if they had notified you quickly).As for your question about renewing their lease...This partly depends on whether you feel like they were negligent...for instance, if the water heater leak was easily observable, and you think they were negligent in not notifying you quickly, then that suggests they'll continue to be negligent and incompetent in the future--which puts you and your property at risk (a tenant who is so negligent that they don't report an obvious water leak is probably also negligent enough to leave the stove on, leave the doors unlocked, ignore fire hazards, etc., not replace smoke alarm batteries, etc.).   

When the vast majority of the leads will not pan out (it’s largely a numbers game), you are not wasting them by using them to learn as you go.But then, I think, hey even though I'm pretty good, maybe I need to tighten up my negotiating skills too.

Numbers seem to pan out so far, but I do worry about high turnover and tenant demand.

If the kitchen doesn't exist, toilets are missing, or the roof has multiple layers and leaking keep saving because that a cash offer only situation.

I think you should try and get a property manager/handyman who will do cleanup, snow removal, small repairs like toilets and sinks on an hourly basis.