Just want to make sure I am on the same page...Keep in mind when thinking about property managers, they have overhead of conducting business, including employee wages and benefits, hardware and software costs, utilities and rent for their office location, insurance costs, licensing costs for their employees plus the time and effort put into maintaining compliance with applicable laws regarding third party management of real estate assets.

What I learned when I bought: (1) I had mice; (2) lease violated almost every law in Ohio; (3) rent was not "late" until the 15th of the month; (4) gutters were installed wrong and front porch roof was damaged; and (5) the bottom tenants decided they didn't like the house and were not going to pay rent. 

I feel like I'm at a point where I should get my feet wet and practice analyzing deals.

Invest in a receipt book or create a receipt that you can send electronically.In addition, check the landlord-tenant laws for your jurisdiction.

But yes, she should get up to speed on what is OK and what is not as concerns brokerage laws in her jurisdiction.

One "best practice" tip would be to make sure the lawyer spells out everything in the engagement letter.

Complete the SD accounting as required by local law, mail refund check (if owed) and SD accounting to last known address, which is your rental. 

Topics such as:Title Company best practices?

There is no commercial tenant now, but there used to be a law office.  

For the most part, if it is reasonable for the rental it is deductible (technically the rule is ordinary and necessary, but for practical purposes it is that the expense is reasonable).