You may be ahead of your reserves for a year or two, but quickly can fall behind those your reserves, as budgeted.I take a very conservative approach, but not only budget all recurring items, like landscaping and snow removal, but also take the replacement cost of every item divided by the useful life (both physically and aesthetically) and budget that as well.  

Hi Taylor,Free work in return for lowered rent might not be such a good idea.It would be Smart to go in person and see examples of the person's previous work (of the same kind you want done).I've seen (for example) gypsum board punched holes replaced that were  -->99.999% Invisible<-- and on the other hand, tub work by the same individual that was "childish" at best.I've had other instances of Handymen describing their work in various glowing terms, and according themselves with various (made up) glowing titles (master this, and certain grade experts)--claiming unbelievable past projects--who were no-shows or no-finishers.It's best to understand what the repair needs yourself, such as "Blue Board" or "Purple Board" and sealant XYZ vs just relying on statements such as I have done these for years--yes that may be true, but at what quality (if quality counts to you--it may not).You also may want to spec that you want the area left Broom Clean when the work is done, and make sure to provide a dumpster if there will be large demo taking place.Good Luck!

And preferably newer books, that have advice on using modern technology like RentReady app and such to make it easier and keep it organized.

I went out replaced all my light bulbs with LED when they first came out.

Not that my opinion matters, but I believe rehabbing old homes to the condition they used to be in while adding modern fixtures so that families can live in them is worth doing. 

Looking at that pipe you are due for a complete replacement . 

I have absolutely no reason to doubt her, especially since she isn’t even asking for them to pay for any of her damages (she filed with her insurance, which replaced the windshield already).She has a truck, and is aware that since it is a rather tall car, she has to wait until the door is fully open in order to proceed.The sensors should’ve prevented this from happening and the fact that the windshield wasn’t scratched or cracked, rather, shattered, is to me, proof that something crashed onto it.Her description of the situation makes sense to me, and the fact that she was given an invoice in return, is staggering.

Rather than replacing all of my thermostats I have door hangar signs that say: "If the door is open the Air Conditioner will turn off!"

It means you spend money to replace their free stuff, but the end result is the same, just with your decor.

Should I replace it?