However, the rents can vary wildly in the area. $800 for a 3 bedroom sounds very low to me, unless it is in an undesirable area.

Three ladies from a house a few doors down had been on section 8 for FOURTEEN years in just THAT house, you read that right.

Turns out an elderly lady walked through, tripped on a root, and sued.While I emphasize with the lady, I wouldn'thave given her a penny.

How can you solve a problem for this nice lady?

lvp now,  ceramics on concrete foundations,I had a lady ruin 2500 sqft of laminates with a sponge mop.animals and carpet don't mix. hardwoods need refinishing from wear. there's a reason Walmart's are using vinyl plank in the walkways of there carpeted areas. they seem to be wearing very well.  

The 5% quoted might be accurate, or it might be wildly off target. 

The custom builder pricing and handyman pricing are going to be wildly different, so when you do call on contractors, just make sure you know what you're asking for, and are comparing apples to apples when price shopping. 

Also married a very smart lady that's not a shopper. :) 

"Well I'm starting to buy investment properties and within 10 years I hope to be at the point where I dont need to work but I want to work"- Was hired on the spot (probably because I was over qualified but meh) and spent the next 20 minutes talking with the boss lady about how I got started and my plans...

Property management is the Wild West here in Maryland and we end up with operators leaving their owner clients high and dry, giving the whole industry a bad name.