Start by laying a strong foundation with simple systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

.: Quote from @Howard Koore: Are you folks talking about a Ground Lease which gives you long term use and control of the land,etc. but it’s never yours unless you contract to buy it.This is the opposite.

There are several that I would divest from the start so my total portfolio would be around 22 fairly well maintained homes with maintenance records on the big systems. 

It's been pretty reliable and allows me to control temp and see what outside temp is like.Last app/product I adore, is the Hubspace app that connects to sockets that you can program on/off for the outside lights. 

Hard to keep an employee that can make $100Million in 10 years with their system instead. 

(Assuming you never have negative CPi.) this is “reasonable rent control” and by reasonable I mean it will have zero effects at lowering rent and may actually increase it.

At this point, that's probably your best option if you're looking to have some control.

@Greg Kasmer @Anthony Taylor  The reason that Property Managers have this fee is because they normally allow their owners to have too much control over the process.

-Washer typically bad drain pump, lid switch, belt, or control board.  

Expert negotiation, pricing, and vetting of not just the quality and completeness of offers, but of the buyer's agent and their ability to control their client.That's just the start.