If you are willing to take on some of the risk of lower coverage and the bank will play ball than this may be your  best way to save.What I know about flood insurance is everyone hates being made to buy it and it's always more expensive than they expected. 

I expect to repaint after every tenant.  

I would tell her that she needs prior authorization before expecting to be reimbursed for anything.

When house hunting, unless you want to purchase your own kitchen, look for homes which include a kitchen in the rent price, this is typically displayed as “EBK” or Einbaukuche” There are few expats who move to Germany with their kitchen sink in hand, so ensure your know and expect this before visiting a kitchen-less home.9.

We were expecting much lower, Any recommendations

Here in Metro Atlanta, tenants expect to pay for those expenses directly, so we as landlords do not cover them.The one exception I can think of would be condos, where the monthly fee includes water and sewer, but we don't lease condos (for that reason and a whole bunch of others).

You might tell them what you expect of them and how much of the profit they might make depending on their help beyond money.  

Is that a realistic expectation?

Easier to get in, bigger cash flow numbers, lower taxes, but there is less expectation for appreciation and Newark is more of a B-C area than PA which is an A area in my opinion.

The problem is you don't know what you don't know until you have the property inspected to determine the current condition and life expectancy of all major components and appliances.