So, the first question they usually ask a PMC is about fees - instead of asking about services and HOW those services are executed.EXAMPLE: PMC states they will handle tenant screening – what does that specifically mean?

Again, there are good ones out there but you need to know what a good one looks like, then you need to screen them until you find one.Remember: cheaper doesn't mean you'll make more money.Start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers.

Assuming i find a property management team that can be trusted, and that the tenant is properly screened, how could something like this go wrong?  

While Section 8 offers benefits like guaranteed rental income and a larger pool of prospective tenants, there are administrative requirements and potential differences in payment expectations to navigate.Before making a decision, conduct thorough tenant screenings to ensure tenants meet your rental criteria beyond their Section 8 status.

I may have been listening to the podcasts too much (I'm through around half of them)I'm all for giving the current tenants a chance, but it seems like I have to just take them without knowing anything about them, no idea of how they were screened, their payment history, etc.This is just a duplex, is it a very common thing to sell an occupied unit (on the lower range, not 4plex+)?

I have a lot more confidence when I screen for tenants. 

I self manage my like 5 property portfolio. follow this link and see my pre-qual. https://form.jotform.com/221952639521155Thanks for the tip on building own prequal screening.   

What app do you recommend to screen for tenants and collect rent?

We screen first, telling tenants that we don't accept smokers, we want a 670 credit score or more, that we want them to bring verifiable gross monthly income at least 3x the monthly rental to any showing we set up, etc.

Including utilities and furnishings doesn't change a single thing about it.Biggerpockets sells a Lease Agreement Package under "TOOLS" at the top of your screen. $100 for a lease and several other documents, written by investors and attorney approved for your state.