The process seems daunting and overwhelming, and I am not confident I will put the time in to talk to sources, analyze, and find properties for investing purposes. 

- Good source to find reputable and experienced small multifamily builders once we firm up a specific market?

Quote from @Michael Smythe: @Kwanza P.Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

. - Private lenders are not just sources of capital but can also be strategic partners who bring value to the table. 3.

You could pay the contractors but if you can be a strong referral source I'm sure they'd be happy to give you estimates.

We vetted a  handful of "turnkey" companies and REI Nation was the best in terms of reviews across multiple sources. 

Property owners are a prime source for collecting revenue.

MLS-listed deals are a bit harder to find, so investors here have had to get more creative in sourcing deals either through their own hustle (door-knocking, website, direct mail, driving for dollars) or finding good wholesalers to feed them deals. 

@Chantelle LewisRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

But timing and planning are crucial.Here's what you need to consider:Future Passive Income: Do you expect to generate passive income from other sources?