Their expertise in knowing the laws (federal, state, and local), how to handle difficult situations, access to a good vendor list etc are worth their weight in gold. 

I'm gradually handing over some of my properties to over to a property manager, mostly because I'm having to split my time between here and California. 

It'll also (at least in NC) potentially affect the inspection negotiations so that's something to weight the pros and cons. 

They pay first and security upfront and the last month in gradual payments in addition to the rent.

More specifically, take the lowest score of the three bureaus if all 3 are pulled; but if not, then I personally give more weight to an Experian report, followed by Equifax, then Transunion if you must.

Also I am curious whether people think her payments "under protest" have any weight in the court?

In your experience, is it a gradual increase in leads/desire/applications?

I have told her 8000 times to cool it down gradually 2-3 degrees at a time...that's not the only thing she doesn't listen to me about, but I digress!

If that somehow isn't an option, I would weight out the pros and cons on a sheet of paper before deciding which approach to take.

Are management companies worth their weight in gold or is this something many of us should and could do ourselves?