It is very difficult to vet an operator - they all say they are experienced, conservative and will be a good steward of your capital. 

It's very difficult to do that anymore today.Some people will call BS but I've found 9 times out of 10 those folks are doing their numbers wrong.

My biggest complaint for the most part now is that they don't seem to work that hard at finding new tenants, and they make it more difficult than it has to be for tenants to renew.

It is a business, so run it like one, as @Tom S. said, start the process and follow through.Unfortunately you're in a Blue state so this will be more difficult for you, so yes get a lawyer if they don't respond immediately to your 'pay or quit' notice.Don't take any more partial payments, that will delay your case!

It is all dependent on the numbers.If you are planning on putting low money down, the odds of it cash flowing (or even breaking even) in the first year would be difficult. 

For a problem that could have been resolved in a matter of hours/days or just a week at max, you can easily waste a few weeks here; - It is very often difficult to get them to act.

@Kiki Helland Detroit has been the most difficult city to find competent management.

There are a lot of requirements towards the qualified opportunity zone of which you didn't mention the three most difficult parts1) The funding of a qualified opportunity zone needs to be through capital gains.2) There has to be an entity structure of which there is more than 1 owner3) You have to materially rehab the propertyTalk to an accountant to make sure you have all the requirements met.

I am having a hard time finding insurance underwriting for the three-family that I am purchasing:https://www.redfin.com/PA/Pittsburgh/7209-Penn-Ave-15208/hom...The only policy I could get a binder on was from Tapco in...

In your networking/loan terms search I'd reframe your ask, because what you are asking for sounds MORE risky and therefore difficult than another request.