I am not sure if I should be paying her 3% commission for trying to take advantage of me for being out of state and thinking I wouldn't follow up on things. 

If so, you plan is a bit screwy since passive income is generally considered more advantageously taxed than active.

While upgrades certainly give you more curb appeal and a potential advantage over the competition you need to ensure you are not putting too much into a home. 

Midland can be good if you buy correctly (now may be the time) to make it breakeven/positive during "down" times so you can take advantage of booms.

Advantage...individual investor!

The advantage is I have full control over the process and can and do work with those customers with abnormal circumstances.

Totally agree with @Steven Wilson , get a property management company run your rental. and just another advantage, a property management company has the benefit of being viewed and treated as a professional entity.

Was it advantageous?

$300 bucks spent in one hour.This $300 means WAY more to the resident who most likely does not have the advantages or opportunities that real estate have been able to provide you and your family.

An advantage of turnkey is that it allows investors to participate in markets outside of their own.