If not, what the tenant agrees to pay an RE agent is purely their prerogative, you're not party to their contract, correct?

Purely anecdotal, but whatevs. 

These are not new construction top of the market type of data points but seem to be a good hedge for us from just buying pure cash flow properties. 

Does this speed up the process of taking some 'next step' ie: so what if you have 2 properties is there some strategic imperative here other than just the pure financials on the properties?

There are two power systems, battery operated or hard wired, which allow the meter to communicate with a wireless router that sends the data to a database at the company (this is accessable to you the owner/property manager via the web) and then a bill is sent to the tenants automatically at a interval that you set.

Taxes/ year: $3,002,  Insurance: $1,573,  Trash/ year: $654,   Electric/ year (exterior lights): $420,   Water/ year: $1,200 sewer/ year: $1,500,   Spray for bugs/ prevention: $311/ year,    Lawn cutting/ year: $640,   Misc (furnace filters/ 9v batteries): $250I have gotten mixed reviews back from my colleagues when they go over these numbers with me.

Many people do end up breaking this rule in hot markets so they can aquire a place or just because they purely speculate on rising values@Beau Fannon I agree, most people I've seen posting don't take into account all expenses related to a property.

I have NOT been able to do this as much as I would like to here, and it's hurt me a bit so far.I would further recommend Option #1 on your list, and I would recommend @Craig Curelop's approach to house-hacking (IMO, his podcast on the BP Money Show and the straightforward approach he lays out is pure gold for anyone thinking about househacking in an expensive metro area).I would buy my first book on basic home maintenance before I bought my first property, specifically How Your House Works by Charlie Wing.

I ordered the 6Amp batteries on eBay.

To not know or to disregard it is either going to be detrimental to your investments or is purely greedy selfishness.