Overall the property was in really good shape, just needed cosmetic updates (removed wallpaper, updated fixtures, painted, new carpet, and new appliances).

My own husbands family only did regular investing, stocks and bonds, his dad always said" stay away from real estate, its too messy" So we kept it a bit low key but we have had some tax advantages and decent appreciation of our RE. but many many headaches..and stories!

I'm planning to remove carpet inside and replace with laminate or LVP. 

Everyone else on your team will be transaction-based and not really involved after a purchase.We're in the Metro Detroit area, so you may want to follow our blog here on BP, but at least read the following posts:Follow our "Deep Dive" series we're doing about Metro Detroit cities and City of Detroit Neighborhoods: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...How to “Screen a PMC Better than a Tenant”: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/3094/91877-how-to-screen-a-pmc-better-than-a-tenant-part-1-services-and-processesIn our experience you will need to:1) Learn to "Maintain to the Neighborhood", not your personal standards2) Tenant-Proof everything you can Hard surface flooring, not carpeting (too easy to trash) Same basic paint for everything No garbage disposals for them to break Only spring-type doorstops also with plate on the wall Glue rubber mats under sinks to prevent water damage Sheet aluminum on walls around stovetops, for easy grease removal Towel racks - screw 1x3 to wall studs, then screw rack to that Install low-profile downspout ext, not aluminum that always disappear Plan on cleaning gutters and leaves up in the fall as tenants won't Avoid garage door openers3) Have a great application screening process: Check credit for evictions & convictions, utility collections Focus on employment/income stability Require bank or debit card statement - you'll be surprised what they spend their money on!

There are so many variables that it could be, unfortunately it is now a mess.

Only things found in the inspection were really minor things that I have fixed for free since the buyers only asked the carpets be professional cleaned.  

We require the vacating tenants to have the carpet professionally cleaned (truck mounted only - no store rental machines allowed).

Assumes no carpet ofcourse for which you can add another couple bucks per square foot. 

But if it's two months into a lease and a tenant begins complaining about ants it's likely they're being sloppy/aren't storing their food properly and their messy way of living has brought (and kept) the ants inside the property. 

Do you shampoo the carpet, or install a laminate floor?