Do not let your emotions prevent you from making sound financial decisions.

I'm in miami dade county as a focus area only if you consider ground up but I'd pass on auctions because they are sight unseen most the time and it's all cash purchases typically. you have no control. in land development and real estate development you have full control of every part of the process. don't buy something 50 years old or 100 years old. 

They should always be under control of the owner, not allowed to roam free, not allowed to bark, can't destroy the property, etc.

But my second answer is that if you are able to “go it alone” from a directional control perspective you will be much happier, and can operate lean where there is no counter arguments to be had with a partner.  

If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

You just can't sign agreement where the property manager controls when you can and can't use the property.4. 

Based on the timing here it looks like you didn't let the tenant stall you too long so that's good.I see this was an inherited tenant so you obviously didn't have much control over screening.

This.This will also be more emotional than logical, never forget that.

I myself was a renter not too long ago for my primary residence and I often resented that my landlord could control my actions through their legally binding rules.

Why would I have them hold my money when I can have full control over it if they transfer it over to my accounts in 1-3 business days.