(let's call these "other costs").Let’s say I actually spend $10,620 per year on other costs (this number is conservative by the way).

Most everything you could want to know has already been written about and/or answered in the forums and the freely available information right here on BP.If you're "into MFR", then I suggest you spend some time with the blog posts by Michael Blank.

This in a place where the median household income (about $69k) cannot afford the median price of a home (about $700k). 

Then just break it keep the ones you liked and  tell the rest the truth... you were looking for information. i would not see why they would not be cool with it because the big picture was to get you to spend so no matter who you called you were going to spend money on the "Great Real Estate Game".Hope this helps.

Better is to give a few months free rent and have them spend the money for TI's.

but to no one's fault but my own I was unable to keep the business afloat when real estate plummeted a few years ago.So now I work for the dredging and beach restoration industry and spend weeks and sometimes more than a month away from my family.

Spend some time tomorrow calling mortgage brokers and find a solution to your financing challenges.

I have two girls, ages 14 and 11, that I want to spend a heck of a lot more time with.  

I am thinking about providing new tenants with a welcome basket of basic cleaning supplies and household items like: paper towels, toilet paper, toilet brush, plunger, dish soap, and all purpose cleaner.    

If I were you I would spend a lot of time speaking with brokers to see what they offer to a part time realtor.