In the owner/investor world, it’s tempting to cut corners to save money. We get it. We’ve seen owners—even experienced ones—decide to handle maintenance themselves or hire a "handyman" friend to save a few bucks. They’re attempting to protect their bottom line.

But after overseeing thousands of doors and managing hundreds of service calls every month, we can tell you the reality: Cheap labor is often the most expensive mistake you’ll make.

Most people spend their entire careers dreaming of the day they finally make that last mortgage payment. They want to enter retirement with the deed to their home in hand.