Would cost me $300 for each phone call and I still have to pay the plumber.

C- what should we pay for it I spent 90 min on the phone with him yesterday.

Set up a shooting range in the back yard with old appliances, broken vehicles and mannequins.

For your first project, use a General Contractor, who has their own subs and who will deal with all that minutia for you, then follow them around, ask lots of questions and learn.Whatever you do, have a rock-solid contract that specifies money for performance and have them deal with materials and the haul-away and bid the job including both labor and materials broken out. 

The association hasn’t answered their phone yet today.

They must also provide contact information I can use to verify, so for example their current land lord's phone number. 

An informal rule of thumb I've found is that if two months rent is greater than property tax and insurance combined, the numbers usually work well.A couple random expenses I've had from my two properties since April (after tenant moved in):Central air issue, broken screen on screen door, lack of hot water in shower, clogged drain from toiletI'd be careful in renting to a friend. 

She has gradually broken all kinds of rules and used your kindness against you.

I live In the Central Valley (Tracy) but willing to travel to as far as the Bay Area for a consultation that can’t be done via email or phone. 

Using traditional financing we got it within a month from phone to paper.