@Vy LeRecommend 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.

Pitfalls to Avoid: What are the common mistakes new investors make that I should be aware of?

@Taylor L. was very helpful and possibly saved you from making a mistake. 

I made this mistake on my first rental I was renovating my first single-family and I left the blinds up on every window and you could see it was vacant and getting worked on and someone broke in and stole my copper plumbing.

I am too small to make a big mistake and the numbers here make that much harder. 

I'd rather learn from other people's mistakes than make them myself.

So, a one time or minor “mistake” is not going to be enough to pierce the veil.  

Myself and family truly loved the property and house; just want others opinions on if this may be a mistake to proceed, or does this appear common practice for the age and location (upstate New York). 

Greatest mistake I see would be investors make.. is don't do deals because they think THEY are the key to success when in fact its the MONEY that is the key..

I have gotten a number of mistakes in the distributions, but they always seem to correct them and say that their new system will obviate that kind of thing going forward.