If we know where we are going it's easy to make a plan. 

Also, when you say rental property, are you referring to short term rentals or long term?

Do you check Landlord references?

Essentials include pack ’n plays, high chairs, safety gates, and easy-clean surfaces (no white sofas!).

The BP function allowing you to check references and actually talk to real clients of those QIs is a great advantage.

It’s pretty easy to figure out when I’m basically paying for a full time employee.

Every REI has a starting point, a build up phase, and an exit phase (this doesn't have to mean out of REI...it refers to cash).The key to determining this is based on an investment plan, and where the REI is in that plan. 

Makes it very easy to take advantage them:(

Do your due diligence and call references, contact employers, meet the applicant, etc.

If that is the case then that is considered cost of doing business and I would advise that should be calculated in your costs/returns you provide to the investor.IF you are referring to the investor who is the borrower - then I would have included that cost in the loan agreement.