Setup a Google Voice number so tenants can call or text the number with their requests.

How would you setup a reliable team of contractors in the shortest timeframe ?

I'm not an Attorney but you could set up an LLC (Parent Company) that is owned 50/50 by each of your own respective LLCs (You own 100%).

I could not make it past the set up stage.

It was a waste of time to try to even set up.

That is a good idea to set up a Trust.  

I am on my way to buy my first property as a 20 year old student. I really want to have a partner because I am not near the property all year round (I study a couple hours away). I found someone that I think would be ...

I thought it was the same for at least every midwest market (I only see what I have keywords set up for), but apparently it is just people in our state, many of which work for the same company.

It is pretty easy to setup.

I'm still new at this and I own the houses in the name of my trust, I haven't set up any sort of business entity for them yet.