A PMC is the ONLY one that will deal daily with your property.Here's some copy & paste advice on hwo to screen PMCs: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.

Larger company -- tried to escalate to the owner. 

Seller financing can be a fantastic way to get into a 4+ unit property, especially in a competitive market like Chicago.Have you started reaching out to owners directly or networking with agents who specialize in multifamily properties?

For larger properties, there are no disclosure laws, so purchasers have to be skilled about due diligence. 

There seems to be an interesting investment case for Portugal currently and by building a supportive network of investors we will be able to discuss opportunities and build our experience faster than if we go it aloneWhen I arrive in March I will be focusing on learning the market and seeing which strategies will work for me. 

From my experience investing in mid-tier and luxury hotels much larger is you need about 70% to make ends meet, you start getting happy about the investment about 80% and around 85-90% you fell like you are a genius. 

Micro-markets are like checkerboards across larger markets. 

I’m still getting a feel for this platform and starting to adapt to the newer ways of networking and marketing.

You will be going up against larger operators with bigger budgets and more experience. 

We'd have to cash-flow $1,300/mo over that period to make that much, which isn't happening.This is all to say that if you are in a market that has good long-term appreciation potential, then whatever rental model you choose is simply a way to make a little money while you hold the property for larger long-term gains.I'll let others chime in on your specific area.