We have boots on the ground to take care of maintenance, landscaping, trees, plumbing, electrical, improvements, face to face and communications.

Remember prior to WWII the U.S. landscape was in large part a cash society, WWII changed everything.

Now you haven’t paid any utilities during vacancy, landscaping, or any other expenses like repairs, warranty, tenant turnover and so forth. so $2,100-$2200 in rental rate sounds awesome… until you actually start plugging numbers.

You really do the concrete, framing, flooring, cabinets, trim, drywall, paint, landscaping, etc??

@Sam Leon When you buy your first rental, you can claim up to $5,000 in start-up expenses prior to your rental being placed in service which include: minor repairs, office expenses, cost of investigating properties (including auto expenses), insurance premiums, maintenance costs (landscaping and utilities), costs to recruit and train employees, costs to create a website, fees paid for market research, business licenses and permits, fees paid to lawyers, accountants, etc (if associated with closing, will be part of basis).

(Use to be my husbands landscaper yard and now he has retired :) )Thank you so much!

. $5k for landscaping

D areas should be avoided completely.Apples to apples  strong B A area in Summerlin / vegas for example at 300k should get you 2200 in rent or so but tax's will be about 1500 to 1700 a year.. you will have next to zero in desert landscape costs and the homes are generally 1990 or newer  stucco  tile roofs  etc and can easily be self managed.. 

Couple of ideas - grab some landscaping equipment, power washer, snow removal equipment,  and/or cleaning gear. 

I understand that things like landscaping and cleaning services will be a constant with the occasional larger furnace and roof jobs required.