The main argument for in house is that they will do a better job because the turn key company controls them but that argument doesn't really hold with a 3rd party PM that is well vetted and screened.

They will design pavement, stormwater control, grading of the site.- Possible: a landscape architect.

The loss of control was strange, I will admit.

You can't control where you live if you're there for a W-2 and need the job, so you can't influence "how much you should pay" as much as you can influence your cash flow.Anywhere you live, if you can find a fixer-upper off market, the entire conversation changes.

You’re also at mercy of the weather, which you can’t control.

Some investors and property managers require that they underwrite their own tenants so they are in control of their risk without necessarily trusting the screening skills of the previous owner/management.

I paid my way through selling pest control door to door each summer.

This I feel would be the better option as this would allow you to have full control of the property and not have someone else that you have to rely on or if you plan to sell they have to sign off on it which could become expensive if things turn to them wanting a portion of the profit.

I can control settings for if and when it auto locks itself.

Also the State is working on laws  for rent control after this.