Sounds like you mostly need a plumber and/or an HVAC contractor (depending on the township, the trade that signs for an HVAC could be a separate HVAC contractor, a plumber, an electrician, or even a general contractor) to apply for permits.

They tend to be gentler, more responsible, and the programs naturally create a network to help keep your rooms filled.

What lessons have you learned about investing in real estate that you can apply to your own residence?

Know the law, document everything, and make sure everyone on the team knows how the law applies to their functions and acts accordingly.

I would focus on a couple of markets and apply the education to those markets. 

No repairman or superman can change the laws of nature. 

If you are a realtor same thing applies. 

We look at per sq. ft. prices for SFR and per unit prices on MF...here, you can't apply the sq. ft. method to MF because we have a huge amount of older and huge MF properties...it corrupts the data.

Fresh and clean with large windows and great natural light with new carpet and paint, nice remodeled bathrooms, kitchen and finished basement with extra bedroom and bathroom.

Local Legislation, tenant pool quality, tax legislation, natural disasters, job market growth, saturation of real inventory, and real estate market disruptions through innovation are a few of the things that you cannot control.