Your first few houses that you do are your startup phase.

It phases out by $1 for every $2 of income over $100K. 

This way I can learn even more while potentially making money, and share with you guys on how my progress is going during each phase.

I'm 45 and a newcomer to REI, just in the learning phase. 

Hi Aaron,I'm also looking at apartment buildings as the next phase of my real estate career.

Once we got into the renovations and lease up phase, we ended up getting $750/month per unit.

Go ahead and travel to just east or west of downtown, in KCK or KCMO respectively, and you'll find the same thing you experienced in Milwaukee, which is a certain segment of housing at the end-phase of the building life-cycle and nearing the point where it will get fixed up or bulldozed, starting the cycle over again.

Having the partially rented property allowed me to "phase in" my own screening standards for the property and ensure that I am getting the best most qualified tenants. 

Just offering advice for tracking purposes while in the testing phase.

You need a solid scope with a set schedule of values where the contractor gets paid once they COMPLETE a phase or work item.