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.

Everything just screams success.”A lot of permitting still has to take place, and the landscaping of the site will be hindered by the trees and rocks that have to be removed there.

It doesn't need any repairs, maybe new paint and some landscaping.

Needs minor work and some landscaping on the outside.