But a few years ago I challenged myself to buy NOTHING but the "needs" (toilet paper, toothpaste) for an entire year.

What brand of toilets do you buy that never need to be repaired? 

The first time you have a leaky flapper in the toilet, you should be learning how to replace one. etc (my opinion, i know some disagree)Long story short I recommend talking in depth to at least 5 agents.

Water is all over the floor, toilets wont flush right , showers and sinks dont drain really and it smells badI feel like not fixing this because they owe me so much money and just want them gone.

And that's just one deal for that month.Or2) A landlord who gets up early in the morning to fix a broken toilet for one property and went out to another property to serve an eviction notice.

With one of these strategies you could start with a lower investment, wouldn't have to deal with the 4 Ts (tenants, termites, toilets, and trash!)

I had quotes for $5-6K for replacement HVAC, when all I needed was a new king valve in the AC and a new condensation pan for the attic furnace.  

Even with inflation that should be a nice nest egg to live off of if your RE investments don't pan out.  

You are getting higher rent per square foot/toilet.

But, it still irks me when I get the occasional call "The AC is not working" or "The toilet is clogged."