Even if it just allows me to pursue a career I find more enjoyable at the sacrifice of a corporate salary, it'll be a huge win for my long-term quality-of-life. 

I know a lot of people prefer to manage their own properties because nobody takes care of your properties the way that you do, however I know one person can only do so much as one scales up.While I'm sure there are plenty of quality PM companies out there, most of the experiences I have heard have been rather negative such as fees incentivizing turnover and repairs being "band aid fixes" to a bigger problem.

I don't have a lot of income or assets so it wouldn't be easy for me to quality for a loan.I do, however, have some high-net-worth friends that are happy to invest with me if I can find and execute the deals (primarily run-down residential properties with potential to add value through rehabs.)I recently completed a very successful rehab project in a partnership like this.

I've talked to a few investors I know and there seems to be a need for quality wholesalers in my area. 

For example, lets say they raise utilities 15% after not having raised them in 30 months, then the allowed rent increase is greater than the utility increase.I like the tenants paying utilities becauseIt provides incentive to conserve.I do not believe I can set the rent at market + utility cost and still get quality tenants. 

Some of the new engineered and laminate products can be very good; but to me there's a real quality difference.

Since the competition is either not improving or doing similar quality I don't need to over improve.  

If they are they need to stay away from this stuff and look at possibly investing in higher quality sponsored projects that are larger. 

If the property is higher end, I have seen as high as $10 PSF for top quality wood so that could be a consideration to preserve value upon exit.

Odd floorplan, bad view etc-comps -condition of unit-quality of tenant I've let a lot slide if the tenant is great or the unit is compromised in some ways.