If you can swing hiring a PM without putting you in the red on cash flow even better. 

The key is not every custodian is right for you, some have higher fees but better customer service and some are good at real estate and notes and others not so much.

However, EXAMPLE B has only herself to spend on, she is probably better at budgeting and living within her means, and she would be less wear-and-tear on the home.

The longer the pre-payment penalty you select, the better your rate will be.

But some are much better than others.

Cash Flow: Although not likely to cash flow, a 3% increase on $3K/month is better than 3% increase on $1K rental out of state.

Morning is better for me as I am on the road in the afternoon.

But yea it really goes to show the current expectations of laborers and apparently some handymen despite the economy where less pay is better than no pay and despite CA CSLB being very firm about its $500/project being a maximum for materials + labor.So yea I've resolved to conclude 'you're just not getting it, son!'

Can you invest the money in something better without paying hundreds of thousands in taxes?

@Simmy Ahluwalia Would you take a look at my scenario here and advice if you have a better option for funding?