To check the electric , pull the meter and jump the connection . ( electricians can do this for you )  .

Many tools mentioned are for people with more rentals and more experience.You need a REALTOR to help you understand the market, find properties, write contracts, negotiate, and stay out of trouble.You need a lender.You may need a Property Manager to help you manage the property, but that depends on your time available, willingness to learn, ability to deal with people, and other factors.You will eventually need a handyman, plumber, electrician, and other professionals, but you can definitely wait until they are needed.

The best plumbers, electricians and all of the above will be up there early in the morning.

I hired an Electrician that way and he pretty much took my money and almost burned my rental down by shorting out the wiring (Can't get my current contractor to submit paperwork so I can report the electrician!)

I have independent electricians that hand write receipts and work for cash....so i do this with them.  

Also, I am looking for an electronic payment service that allows me to pay my service providers (electrician, plumber, etc) without having to go through a lengthy setup process and does not charge ridiculous fees for the transfer.

One service call was on an issue she had been living with for about a year that needed an electrician to fix.  

The home is 3 bedroom, 2 bath and a realtor estimates the home will be worth 120k once renovations are completed- though I feel like this is a low estimate compared to prices nearby on trulia. ( I would love input on recommendations for on affordable yet professional contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters, etc).

I've never heard of a GC removing the cover of an electrical panel to investigate the circuit branches, which could help diagnose (without paying for a much more expensive electrician) where the problem lies in that "Broken Light Switch".

hi there, im a newbie investor in ontario canada, my wife and i currently have 6 single family rentals and are looking forward to reading about some of the in and outs other have experenced though the use of the forum. i am an electrician that owns a contracting business.