Read a couple of books (like "From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves") so you can understand the machinations of the industry and be prepared to deal with them when you have to.I notice that much of the distaste for insurance companies comes from the unfortunate fact that many of them do minimize claims payouts.

Not what I was saying, you can only figure it after the first accounting period or year, before you buy it's guessing.Any property that advertises IRR or any other return is eye wash to market it, your return won't be what theirs is nor can they tell you what your return will be.Assessing alternative properties you need to use your estimates on cash injected, financing, management and income for each using your data, not theirs, that makes it apples to apples. :)

As a Real Estate Investor, my job is to find more investments, not collect past due rents and unclog toilets.As a quick background, I was a Real Estate Broker during the 80s and 90s, I ran a small PM company, managing about 100 units by myself before cell phones, computers and fax machines. 

There are so many syndication options (multi-family, storage (both existing and construction), mobile home parks, ATMs, car washes)

Expresso /coffee machine, nice towels, robes, bigger tv, at least 55inch, nice wine glasses nice bedding, comfortable furniture.

The same capital partner and I decided to purchase and get the next one started...like a well oiled machine.

If they didn't wash the sheets for 30-90 days you'd probably end up tossing them after a guest or two.

We made a deal to cut the rental price in half and she had ionizer machines shipped overnight from amazon to remove the door the following day.Let me say this, the ones she bought worked magic.  

Well using the amazing Google machine...MaidEasyAZ.com is one.

That said, if you do get them and you choose a "fancy" front loader washing machine I would post some rules about leaving the washer door open, physically drying excess water off the door and drum, and any other instructions to prevent mildew because those units are evil and you will get mildew stains when your tenants leave, especially if they're used to normal washers.