Hello,My girlfriend Jess and I both work for the airlines and are interested in an investment property to offset living expenses and eventually have a good COC return once we move out to grow our investment portfolio further. 

Also, make sure that the installing technician pulls a 500 micron vacuum on the system (using a digital vacuum gauge) to insure no refrigerant leaks. 

I help with the cleanup on a regular basis and sometimes you'll see me following the contractors around the house with a vacuum cleaner. 

I think when you hire a PM you have 3 choices 1)  A very small local provider (<15 units) and they tend to me 1-2 person operations, they are the one unclogging toilets, answering guests, etc and it is tough to do everything, so things lack. 2) A large/nationwide provider where you are only a number and they usually lack local resources 3) A mid size local provider who have resources and you are not just a number.Through effective revenue management with a revenue manager, and being listed on 15+ sites including Marriott Homes & Villas, JetBlue and Allegiant Airlines, Hyatt and Amex Travel (coming soon) we are bringing in more revenue than most can self managing, offsetting our fee.One of the top questions I tell people to ask their manager is the fees, who keeps them? 

I would also mention to the OP that the IRS does state that use of airline miles is NOT deductible. 

However, an airline card that will give you an intro bonus, has no transaction fees and can help you build points to go back and forth from home could be attractive.There are millions of credit cards out there, the nerd in me would make a simple spreadsheet to compare them. 

Work for airlines and commute to Newark NJ every week.

Richard Branson did not start Virgin Airlines without a guarantee from Boeing he could return the planes no charge if it did not work out. 

He'll need to set the heads, run the lines, hook up the lines, ensure a vacuum, pressure test, and release refrigerant, perhaps even adding some.The contractor knows he's not making a ton of money, and even though his margins aren't there because you're supplying the units, he needs to factor in you calling him and expecting warranty service if something runs afoul.

There is plenty of info on the subject of self directed investing here on BP so be sure to educate yourself. ....this may or may not be a minor detail, but I am employed full time for the next two years for American Airlines.