Any thoughts, suggestions, or referrals on what first step to take are appreciated. 

I took your suggestion and spent the night checking through the cities Master Plan.

Any suggestion on where to start getting information on this subject?

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).

I need a suggestion here to handle maintenance and cleaningTURNO for automated cleaner payment and scheduling along with inventory trackingQuickbooks / Bookkeeper to keep my PM business in alignmentChase bank & trust accountI'd like a better method for managing linens (bulk order) and distribution.I'd love to compare property management / cohosting agreements with someone to share best practices. 

Does anyone have experience with this and have a suggestion of which to go with?

If you can hold on till first part of January the showings and everything else should pickup.This would be my action items: 1. hire a new agent that can sell the place, and get you numbers are rent and selling and sell the place. 2. be honest on the numbers you can get on an ARV so that you can sell it 3. start to get the conversation started with a couple lenders on what these numbers on refi would look like for you and this property 4. my suggestion would be to refi/rent before selling at a loss because if numbers work you can hold for a couple years then sell, but this is dependent on your cash position and liquidity of your situation. 

Any suggestions are appreciated.I have about $50K in saving and could potentially get to $100K in cash for my very first real estate investment.

They'll usually jump on your suggestion because it is so much easier to sell the note than get the process of a short sale through their system.By purchasing the note to the property you basically become the bank.

Interesting addition when you suggest that builders are the only ones to reap any profits.