Either a lender or an agent is going to want to feel confident that you are working with someone on the other side that will actually be able to help you and will get the deal done but as long as the professional you choose has that ability there is no reason that would increase/decrease your relationship with them.In terms of the credit check - this is important. 

Since Portland is such a tenant friendly city, I’m wondering if there is a loop hole or if I can choose the occupied unit to move into in an effort to rent the other at market value?

If they don't want to renew with you, or want to write a new policy in order for you to be able to stay, can't they just choose not to renew on their end the same way we can on ours? 

Her choosing Uber is not my problem, right?

New Investors Pay AttentionThe profit fron real estate comes from doing good solid deals, not by being cheap and cutting corners.best service, fastest turnaround, cheapestYou can only choose 2 of 3.

Running the project through an LLC gives you tax flexibility, such as choosing how the income is taxed (sole proprietorship, S-Corp, etc.), and makes it easier to track and deduct business expenses.

@Russell Brazil is right (and that's about when I bought my first house at 18% :-)The numbers will always work - or never work, it just depends on which property you choose to purchase and where it is.

I also avoid contractors who have dedicated sales people who drive logo wrap vehicles.I tend to support diversity where contractors who were born outside of the United States or were Veterans in the Armed Forces have worked out best for us.What are your best practices for choosing contractors?

My advice is to choose a CRM that does the job effectively until you're ready to upgrade.

Never took an hour to remove it or an hour to install it. 1. shut off water supply line(turn handle) 15 seconds2. flush toilet 10 seconds3. vacuum and drain water 2 minutes maybe 4 lay out cardboard(from toilet box) put out trash bag5 remove 5/16 nuts one on each side with hollow shaft nut driver 2 minutes6 pick up toilet and place into bag 2 minutes7 clean up old wax ring from flange and inspect flange 2 minutes8 place wax ring 1 minute9 install new flange bolts 1 minute 10pick up toilet and place on new ring if you didn’t ring right maybe 5 minutes 10 tighten down new bolts 2 minutes 11 cut bolts and install caps 2 minutes 12 reinstall water line 1 minute and turn on 13 flush to check for leaks 14 caulk back of toilet seal if you choose 1 minute15 carry away toilet to truck 10 minutes tops. this a 30 minute job.