Make sure the Flat Fee Company is NOT a referral service, that the broker is reachable and licensed ... check reviews and license numbers (licenses should be listed on the home site), they should allow at least 25 pictures, no charge for changes, and a good customer service.

@Shaun BeckRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

If we need to find our own PM, we will strictly base on referral and reference.

Your best referral method will be owners telling other owners how great you have been.

Looking for some referrals for contractors who could come and check a finished basement that had minor flooding after the recent storm in Chicago (Avondale).

I know some people out of Fostoria if you're still looking for some referrals!

For most people starting out they tend to underestimate the time and cost of the project. 

The comps on this one was around 90k but tended to be towards the nicer end of the area.  

If you are having electrical work done, you tend to get better pricing for a larger job so adding on this work is more economical at that time. 6.

Sounds like you may have utilities that tend to come with easements.