I'm seeing houses on the market in Aurora, CO at $450,000 with 6 bedrooms plus additional convertible space which would cashflow even more with lower expenses.

yes - I can save pennies, but in my line of work I'd be walking over dollars to get to those pennies.  

Syracuse code requires the roofers go above and beyond, copper flashing everywhere there is masonry, chimneys must be repaired when the roof is done, etc. 

For instance, I know if they are in one of our homes with hardwoods, it's $250 to have our guy come and do a quick buff and coat of the floors to take out all of the scratches.

Is the code required concrete pad at the outdoor installation point.Is it a ground, roof or cantilever type outdoor installation.Is the equipment all the same brand and size for all of the bids, or is it Carrier vs Goodman, etc..X tons vs Y tons.Are they all including coolant gas in the bid (the new stuff is astronomical in price).Are they including new copper lines in the bids, or just the inside and outside components in some bids.What I'm getting at above is are the bids apples to apples....It the whole Air Conditioning system magic to you--like pulling a rabbit out of a hat, and you are a fish out of water about how it works and it's parts and terminology?

They developed the entire Eastview Estates (SFH) out by JC Pennys, a commercial strip center on 11th & Cook, multiple state leased office buildings, and a slew of other projects.

If you don't convert to a vacant home policy and a squatter burns the place down or a thief steals your copper pipes, you may not be covered.

Metal roof is fairly generic and can cover a variety of roofs - brass, bronze, copper, iron, steel, aluminium, etc.Around here a metal roof from the 1940s would most probably be a {corrugated} galvanized steel roof.  

Usually paint with quality paint and do a coat or 2 of poly on top.

Don't give the tenant a penny