Please let me know who you have worked with and why you like them (How many properties do they manage for you, how long have you worked with them, what you like about them etc.)When the unit is vacant, do they cover the cost for professional photography to rent it out again, or is that an additional fee? 

Many people hire an inspector.

That said, hiring lawyers to write contracts, background and credit checks on strangers that already look nefarious may just add to the stress that we're trying to get rid of.

No matter which path you take in real estate, surrounding yourself with professionals from different fields—contractors, lenders, brokers, investors.

I fired my pm who got me by purchasing the pm i had hired and lost my 1000s of reviews during covid lock downs (so 2020 and 2021 were covid impacted).  2022 had a down time that affected the year.  2023 and 2024 the entire off season was worse than before covid.  

Make sure it's dated and have your agent take a picture of it on the door.Then have your agent hire a locksmith to be at the property on the stated date with any necessary contractor.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Hire an attorney

My professional journey includes stints at Equity Residential, Cushman & Wakefield, and now EquityMultiple, where I help investors navigate the world of real estate syndications.TL;DR: Currently located in NYC, Landlady, licensed real estate agent (MA & NY), property manager, EquityMultiple maven, article-writing enthusiast, and devoted real estate lover.

A strong professional relationship should be able to handle honest communication!