I gave it the Nickproof tug and it passed the test.

You can test this, by asking some to SHOW you how they calculate ROI, Cap Rates, Cash-on-Cash, etc., for their clients.Many will say, "that's the investor's problem".They are correct because an investor should NOT rely anyone else to run their numbers.So, then what exactly makes them investor-friendly?

Then test that area.  

Test him and ask if he can give you 2-3 choices from his portfolio.If he gives you a line that this is his "best" one, or that the others are spoken for already - WALK AWAY!

I just want to focus on what I do and whether I can legally employ one or another approach/strategy, to test its viability.

I started with 2 and wanted to test the waters, so far it’s luke warm.

If I had received the property couple of weeks earlier, I was planning to self manager to qualify for  "100 hours material participation test" OR  "substantially all participation in the activity" test.

Stay there one night and test it yourself.

I’m open to flipping, renting, or exploring other strategies.My mantra is to test new things “fast and cheap,” so I’ll probably begin investing locally in CT before considering otehr markets across the US. 

Test their communication by reaching out as a potential guest to see how they handle inquiries.Ask for References – Speak to their existing clients to get a true sense of their service quality.Finding the right property manager long-distance is all about ensuring they have boots on the ground and a track record of high performance.