I would want a PM that was a true boots on the ground PM company with their employees, their maintenance teams/trucks (this saves you a lot in 3rd party maintenance).   

Get the trash company to send a dumpster, rent a truck to get the supplies (or pay to have them delivered) and you're set. 

I don't know much about real estate so I need guidance on whether to look for a single-family home, a town home, something near colleges, etc. given that I will have a very limited budget.

She is currently locked into a lease, but she will be $900 short on rent this month and she says it is getting harder to pay every month.The rising cost of pretty much everything is straining budgets, especially of your working tenants.I see "it is getting harder to pay every month" becoming more common. 

The property was acquired for $200,000, with a minimal renovation budget of $5,000, and a promising resale value of $251,000.

I had a cage on the outside AC unit but someone got a truck into the backyard and was able to yank it out of the ground.

Ensure you ask the sponsor if there are any such fees.Now, here are some questions I would ask if I were in your position:What are the specific renovation plans and budget details?

Hey Eric, Where it the property and what is the purchase price and rehab budget you are looking at?

I jump in a pickup truck- it starts, skid steer- it starts, chain saw- one pull it starts.  

Longhorn is also experienced enough (and looking out for the customer) to know that long-distance investors solely relying on a GC to stay on time and on budget can lead to problems.