This is because of less vacancy/turnover, rents increased much faster, less tenant damage, less maintenance and repair costs, and most important of all MUCH higher appreciation due to being in more desirable areas that actually improved instead of staying stagnant like many S8 areas. 

I may even sweeten the pot and offer to pay them a few thousand to help them with moving costs.

I'm very very handy, jack of all trades if you will, so I can renovate properties without breaking the bank in labor costs.

There are two types of cost in development:a.

Holding costs are alot on hard money loans. 

Hopefully you have a contract and can follow the terms of the contract. get an attorney, give them notice they are behind schedule and place them in default. you need to terminate them the proper way to make sure they do not come back after you for additional costs.

They didn't end up getting the property after the research because the cost wasn't worth it at the time.Call the code enforcement guy when he's in the office or actually walk into his office when you know he's there.

We have a decent amount of savings, at least enough for a down payment and closing costs on our next home, but the buying power just seems so limited in our area. 

I will assume the total cost basis for the property is $500,000.  

I think it's because it costs money to train them and they (mangers) think it's best to just send them out and hope they learn on their own.