They are getting big and growing their staff and improving processes. 

I would recommend googling some companies around you that do countertops and visit them.

I recommend you do this annually to adjust for utility increases and other variables.

Thats great, If you share inspection report and mls number, I be happy to help you with the suggestion and recommendation.   

Next time I will sub out more of the work... though I still love to paint and so some of the minor work:)Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

If real estate agents recommend a property, I always think why couldn't they buy this themselves if this is a good deal? 

I recommend reading “Long-Distance Real Estate Investing: How to Buy, Rehab, and Manage Out-of-State Rental Properties” - I found it to be very helpful when I got started investing 2.5 years ago.

I did that and it made my profit grow, but I didn't see any other changes except I had to buy the house at a lower price. 

Haven’t quite figured out how the math works yet on that strategy…Dennis, patience is a great recommendation.

Of course, as you grow, you need a CPA, but for the first 12 months as you start out, what do you use?