Here are a few suggestions on how you can maximize the wealth of information available: Check out the blogs and podcasts, or take advantage of the search feature (magnifying glass).

Second question is, if we don't live in the city we will invest in, we understand we will have to be traveling often, but who could be a good person to check in on the construction so we don't have to go every week?

Check with your Section 8 office. 

Just checked on Vestin Mortgage.  

@Eric Chappell - just started a trial to check on rentalhero and it's not a complete accounting system.

Usually it takes them weeks to respond and they come up with some crazy stuff like by business is paying for the trip and need to pay with a certified check outside the platform.

Need to be sure you include the "unknown budget" and never take the optimistic approach as it is better to have money left at the end than writing more and more checks that were unplanned for.Again, if you can walk through an actual property and compare notes with someone that does it in your area (key factor), you will be way ahead of what a generic book can give you.

PSA : Don't hire TRUEBOOKS they will cash your check and leave you high and dry. 

Check your local/state law.

We could have saved some money starting to clean up the property if we had only checked in with the neighbors first.