I NEVER understood the math behind paying off a mortgage at 5% when I can make 12% cap rate, or 16% when including appreciation (or more) by buying another rental.   

@Kevin Brenner understood your BRRR view.

I work in the property management business for 10 years, and I never understood the idea behind maintenance men doing the work that requires some degree of specialized skill.

I understood the contract that I was entering in, and I also understand that there are a lot of moving pieces in play, of which I am unable to control; hence delay in closing happens. 

Hi @Nikki Beall,For us, it was a matter of getting to the point where we understood the basic fundamentals of investing (from books, podcasts, etc) and had realistic expectations of what we were getting into (the good, the bad, the ugly). 

Unless it was found as a typical expense and included in the lease development stage , unfortunately, the owner would probably have to incur that expense upfront and slowly be paid back when new leases were made through higher rent and was able to be incurred as new language in the new lease and understood by the new tenant about who is responsible (at least partially) for that or any other possible capital expense.With regards to the problem stated about using the landlord's panel, you might gain some additional wattage is by possibly downsizing some of your breakers. 

@Jason Baldwin, understood.

I have always been interested in real estate, but never truly understood it or knew where to begin.

I listened to BiggerPockets Podcast 009: Using Hard Money Lenders to Grow Your Business with Ann Bellamy and figured out how to prepare a proposal and show that I understood what I was getting into and the process move so much smoother.

I did two separate one and the first was with one of the gals who really understood it and set it up so I could purchase the items as I went along.