Food for thought: If one buys 50 books about real estate at say $15/book, you've then invested $750+ into your investing education, haven't you?

For example, we had a tenant move in and after 6 months left because they were having a baby.

I began investing with my partner Jake back in 2013, and we purchased our first property in February 2013, a 25 unit apartment complex that Jake referred to as our baby.

However, that would mean living in the Richmond area (longer commute, some pretty sketchy neighborhoods, 1bdrm apt vs 3bdrm house...) and that is not including any other high cost of living expenses that come with living out there (ie. food, insurance, taxes...).

Grant Cardone's 10x rule in action baby!!  

Just food for thought, not intending to be rude.Now for your ideas about the work you need to do: Kitchen - I assume you mean cabinets, counter tops and flooring...maybe appliances as well?

same is true for any new Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or if there's an area that has recently seen a number of new fast food chains enter the marketplace. 

Just some interesting food for thought.

He sounds like a professional who knows how to run his business and does not have an "employee" mind-set.If I had a project that I was able to baby-sit, I'd be willing to pay by the hour. 

Yeah baby!!!!