Becoming an assistant first sounds like a great idea, can get your foot in the door and help understand how things work. 

Some open a limited number of permits and throw everyone into a lottery system.

Plus put an address in the estimator on Awning.com's free tool and that will also give you a basic idea.

I might be having trouble trying to convey an idea about real estate investing.

*This is the second post in Winston-Salem NC Market Data Thread*Winston is a medium sized city positioned to the west Greensboro NC, supporting a population of just over 250,000 within cities limits and MSA of ~681,000 and employing about 309k people.

We now also have a limited service engagement where to do everything except maintenance and housekeeping priced at 10%.

Very limited so likely wouldn't take long to fill the unit again.

Even if your lease isn't phrased this way, it would be a good idea to send the police report to the tenant and explain your position that it's a violation of the lease.

What are the limitations and differences when compared with regular home hard money financing?

This idea about paying more because of the financing is a fast road to ruin.