I have heard rumors that foreigners owning property in the U.S. can not do their own maintenance. They are required to use contractors for all maintenance. Is that true?

Never heard of such a thing.

Me neither. I do my own maintenance in US. I am CDN. OP is being scammed.

Instead of listening to rumors, find out what the laws are in the State where you own property, just to be safe. Since you don't provide info on where your property is, there's no way to give you an answer.

I do know that in certain countries if you own property, but aren't a citizen, you cannot do work on properties you own, you have to hire citizens of that country to do the work for you. If you own rental property it must be manned by people that are citizens. It's their way of ensuring work for their citizens. But I'm not sure about the US. It's possible, so I'd check into it. Laws vary by State, so check what the laws are in the State where you own property.

Good luck.

I'll have to get on my next door neighbor, he's a Canadian citizen, from Toronto, who does a lot of his own work!

I have never even heard such a thing. No there is no law on this. If you want to work, for a company, you will have to have proper papers, but not work on your own property