My background is in Social Work, with a Master's degree.

@Spencer DixonRecommend 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.

Handyman Contractor Insights: These will best come from interviews or referrals from social media (friends/friends of friends) that are retired contractors or tradesmen.

Social media has really messed it up for my generation.

@Ram Gonzales IMO, the funding of such a structure is probably better directed towards "social impact" or "community development" investors.

I think people do not calculate the toll the lower end properties take on investors with years of ownership.Even with management in place there tends to be more problems with those properties over time.The emotional toll alone owning a low end rental portfolio over a decade is enough to make me cringe.Time is something we never get back.

Your idea on the social work aspect is right on.

I had spent $3k on a mentor a couple years back and it was also a waste of money. there are some good resources and mentors out there, but some people just use social media to promote their "expertise" when in reality they just provide a bad experience, just like pace morby Truth.

I leave the marginal ones waiting, letting them know I will reach out when I have a showing date/time.At the showing, I collect their completed application (sent via PDF prior or filled out on premises), scan their photo ID and last 2 pay stubs.Then, I do some digging around online (social media, court records, Google) and if it looks like they are representing themselves to me accurately, I contact them and send them a link to do the background checks (paid by them directly to the vendor). 

List the property on MLS or with a trusted real estate agent, and market aggressively through social media, local advertising, and open houses to generate interest.