Next we discussed how we would try and change the structure of our current plumbers/electricians.

A broker who can also deliver a reputable management company (themselves or an independent company) willing to take over management at closing is a real plus for any residential rental investment. 

You bring 5 different plumbers and all 5 plumbers will give you different answers.

I know it can depend on factors like the borrower’s credit, payment history, and loan terms, but I’m looking for general guidance or ballpark percentages based on your experience.Top Buyers/Companies:Who do you recommend as reputable buyers for these types of notes?

Not everyone has the same priorities - some care about interest rates the most, other care about the points the most, getting the most leverage, closing timeline, reputation, smoothness of the transaction, etc. 

You can do all the prequalifying from anywhere via credit check, call references, verify income etc.Make sure you have a handy person, ac person, plumber, etc etc that you can call when you need some work done. 

Does anyone know a reputable or comp with competitive rates to set up a checkbook IRA?

You can look at a mobile home and see it as an easy rental with new carpet, trim and some paint but there are other bigger uglier expenses that can come up.Roof Replacement, soft floors (water damage) in kitchens and bathrooms- most floors are particle board, exterior door replacement (special order), underbelly insulation falling, bad hot water tanks with rotten floor underneath (real joy), bad windows (water again), bad bloated siding (water), water damaged base frame around perimeter of home, cracked tubs (special orders) and frozen pipes (Good luck finding a plumber to come work on a mobile home- they do not exist). 

I have found no record of him online aside from self-published articles made to make them seem more reputable than they are.  

They either had below mkt. rents or high vacancies and bad reputations and with super managing them I significantly grew the cash flow.