So the fact they didn't offer their services to draft up everything seems like it's super complicated.

It is done every day and not as all complicated.    

Its a lot of unnecessary upfront costs that will be better used for marketing and building your team.      

Him not following the swimming pool guidelines alone and causing you un necessary repair costs should be grounds to evict him, but again depends on what your lease saids are possible consequences and your state laws are. 

With you living there, that adds another dimension of complicity.

@Raven Walker - there are several strategies to buying TAX LIENS or buying properties that have tax liens, or buying at TAX LIEN FORECLOSURE SALES...it gets complicated, but that means not many are doing it...if you have more time than money to invest, i'd research the heck out of it, and see if you think you can find an angle that you like. 

Things like mistakes to watch out for, things that I can do beforehand to speed up the process, taxes, fees, is it complicated, etc.?

We were fortunate that the owners were willing to work with us on a few complications that arose from the FHA inspection.

I know taxes can be very complicated, but could someone please give me the heads up on why it's financially better to invest over the border in North Carolina, than here in South Carolina?

It seems like far more complicated things get done to close deals all the time.