Our maintenance team is very affordable, but it kills me to have a client pay for some simple repairs like a leaky faucet, door knob falling off or not lining up right, bedroom door not closing properly, dryer vent hose fell off, can light came loose, toilet not flushing well, no heating/cooling, the list goes on.

It is the tenants responsibility to monitor the property for power/heat/water leaks whey they are gone.

At both @Jason Regan and @Randall Alan, you highlight what I think must be the greatest challenge in distance REI, that being the contractor element and, more to the point, delivery and quality control. 

Hi,Firstly, I really hope this doesn't turn into a heated political debate.

They could have got a place with everything included aside from wifi for $1000 or a place for $850 that didn't include anything...they went for the place for $850 and electric, heating, water, etc is going to run them more than $150 per month where we are. 

Right Brothers Heating and Air have replaced several HVAC systems for us, and they also do mini splits in older homes.

To be straightforward it is unrealistic to think you can own a property without putting any money into it, reserves are needed for repairs, maintenance, vacancy (when a one or more heating systems need to be replaced, a few tenants stop paying, etc.)I agree with @Dennis Wayne, as would many other experienced real estate investors

My wife and I have a rental condo in Las Vegas where the water heater is integrated into the central forced air heating system.

One unit houses the thermostat for the furnace which heats the whole building.

Catch is, tenant has COVID and is quarantining for another week, now with gas off and no heat / stove / dryer / water heater...and I can't find a plumber who will come do the job due to holiday and/or COVID presence.