However, i dont want him to be able to sue me for "the water heater isnt working" "the ac isnt working etc..."

Principal Paydown: $2,441 Total Gain: $58,317 ROI: 360.32% (on $16,185 upfront investment: 3.5% down payment of $8,715 + 3% closing costs of $7,470).Year 2 Analysis Cash Flow: -$752 Home Appreciation: $6,120 Principal Paydown: $2,617 Total Gain: $7,985 ROI: 49.34%.Year 3 Analysis Cash Flow: -$375 Home Appreciation: $6,242 Principal Paydown: $2,806 Total Gain: $8,674 ROI: 53.59%.Year 4 Analysis Cash Flow: $9 Home Appreciation: $6,367 Principal Paydown: $3,009 Total Gain: $9,386 ROI: 57.99%.Based on these numbers, you’d have negative cash flow for the first three years and only break even in Year 4, assuming a 2.5% annual rent increase.Adjusted Scenario see second picture: Landlord Covers Gas and WaterIn the second scenario, I assumed the landlord would pay for gas and water at $300/month while maintaining the same 2% home appreciation rate.

Just starting out and testing waters for BRRR in Chicagoland area.Any advice or suggestions regarding this?

Maytag and Whirlpool are good imo.I personally also avoid ice makers and water dispensers.

On some older properties where perhaps you have one water meter for 2-3-4 units or one gas meter for 2-3-4 units, or units that share hot water, something like that the owner might pay. 

Implementing water-saving initiatives is a smart way to reduce utility costs.

We have had duplexes with shared water, sewer, and trash billing, as well as shared driveways.The long term tenants act more like owner occupants, planting flowers, etc. and in some cases neighbors think that they are the owners. 

First of all, let me pay my respects to the hardworking people in real estate and the treacherous waters they navigate—fronting hours of effort with only the chance of commissions and an abundance of non-forthright people out there.

We bought a home built in 1900, insurance water damage coverage is 10% of the dwelling limit. 

I a factoring in the replacement of the AC unit and potentially the water heater, and the cosmetic thins (I would do myself) to get it to rentable standard.