Whats your buy and hold 'dream team' consist of?

[Phil C.]

Hi, soon to be landlord and buy/hold investor *knock on wood*

I am compiling what I consider my 'dream' team  for investing and managing my RE buy and hold portfolio.  

RE Agent - I am starting out with a solid RE agent.  I am meeting several in the next few weeks and will pick a few that I thought were the best in terms of response time and service. 

Lender - I currently have my pre approvals from two big banks, but I know I need a portfolio lender, so I am scouting the local banks and credit unions, tbd. 

RE Attorney - this goes without saying...but how do you know a good from a bad one? especially at first contact?

Handyman - definitely need one to handle the emergencies and nuisance items, especially since I will be living several hours away from the properties...Any suggestions how to find one?  I am going to ask the agents if they know one.

Painter, Contractor, Plumber, Electrician - Definitely reliable and honest ones (and insured) are important, am thinking of using Angies List or asking agents. 

To manage the money planning on either direct deposit or mailing cashiers checks or money orders.  If the person passes stringent background/criminal check, has great credit or makes great income and comes off like a good person, I may accept personal checks to make it easier.   I can't afford a property manager yet.

Any one else I need to add to my dream team?

[Jay Hinrichs]

@Phil C. 

@Robert Leonard 

You guys are all totally missing it... your FIRST and FORMOST on buy and HOLD is

PM  IMO  you start there then work out.. No one knows the rental market than the PM why anyone would start with a FOR profit TK For Profit West coast marketing agent is really a mystery to me... Go to a market and start with the person or Company that is going to make or break your investment PM.. they will tell you the good areas that are easy to manage they will tell  you where the war zones are and Hoods are, these may not be obvious on Zillow Google etc.. Plus they may have owners that are sick of being landlords that will be happy to dump there properties off on others for a great deal..

This whole buying rentals is *** backwards from my point of view.. people start with marketers and such then work backwards. Many times buying a property without ever talking to management.. that's just silly.. Bit money cash flow investors would never buy this way they all start with PM