That area is probably a good hedge against inflation and would help you diversify if you load up on cheapies that cash flow.

I must have bought a semi trailer load of this stuff http://www.samsclub.com/sams/luxury-vinyl-tile-mountain-slate/prod9230750.ip I love it.

Plus you can down load the podcasts, those will keep you busy for a long time.  

Different investors will give varying weights to the different benefits; I happen to favor cash flow but others may lean towards appreciation and still others may look to the tax benefits.

I think you are in a longterm growing market loaded with opportunities and most especially for local contractors.

If a tenant pays such a utility that is not separately metered, it falls under "foreign load" rulings that courts have made in PA.  

A great agent is worth their weight in gold.

There are loads of people out there who can teach you for free and give you real experience, while making money, too.

It sounds like you have a pretty fair split on the work, but clearly you are taking on full weight of the financial risk.Seems like you have an good argument to get 60% or 70% of the net, given the imbalance on the $ risk.

You are right it isn’t the easiest thing to find someone that wants to work with you and will have similar goals to make the relationship go really smooth.Nothing wrong with having partners and a good mentor is worth their weight in gold.