They come under an HOA because all of those private items are what is known as 'common area' or that everyone in the development has a 'common interest' in the areas. 

They're not buying turnkey; they're hunting for distressed properties.It's that "BRRRR" method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) that seems to be the most common path to creating value right now.

Overruns are common, especially if you’re new to managing contractors or doing the work yourself.Ask yourself: is your time best spent on labor, or on finding the next deal?

A few questions about the expenses:Cleaning & Maint: 3.1%Legal and Common Area: 1%Repairs: 2.8%Supplies: 1.0%Utilities: 16.6%Capex (appliances): 0.8%These expenses are very favorable, but also quite low for a 10-unit coastal STR.

A good rule of thumb for pre-1978 homes is to set aside an extra 10–15% of your rehab budget for surprises.If you like character homes and you’re buying right on price, the charm can easily outweigh the headaches — just make sure the math includes the reality of owning something with a few wrinkles; Alan, I hope this helps you a bit, tried to list most of the common issues with these older properties, I sent you a DM on BP... it's one of the reasons I do this, I hope you can assist.

In addition to that, we do monthly visits to our out of state properties & weekly visits to our in state properties.

That is in addition to the $180 they may pay a property manager.   

Learning as you go while planning to reinvest profits is a smart and sustainable strategy.This community is a great place to sharpen your skills, avoid common pitfalls, and connect with others who’ve walked the same path.

Additional option/path to consider?

And yes, @Denise Supplee and @Greg Scott are correct, tenants going radio silent after a renewal notice is really common.