If I was starting out, and lived in the area, I'd be hammering tomorrow..If you're hiring contractors forget it.

Have just hired a bookkeeper and at first she questioned having so many accounts but is now finding it a simple way to deal with the complexity of the fact that I have 7 properties and in keeping track of everything.

When you are a PM starting out you start to make money around 10 properties but then you need to hire and you are back to making nothing, then you grow to maybe 20, make money, hire and then back to making nothing. 

Also, what are some of the most valuable factors you look for when find the best option to hire?

I say this let you know - while you absolutely can do it "on your own" these are just a few reasons ( mentioned above ) why folks hire managers - stress free!

Why are you hiring property management to manage one single-family home?

Therefore, that fee is there to make sure that they are getting the job done the first time.Anyone who is saying that they can do a great PM job and won't charge you anything besides the monthly fee, is most likely going to fail out of the business because they won't make enough to stay in business, hire and grow.It is very important to understand all the fees associated with a PM, but I encourage you and your friend to not shy away from a company right away if you see they have fees on other things other than a monthly cut.

This is a recent post about another foreign investor in Jacksonville, you both might be able to share some knowledge and resources in terms of who to hire and work with!

I owned multis in residential zones where people have home based businesses, successful, then hired employees.

STR's aren't impossible here, but depending on the area, you'll find them to be extremely seasonal.Other strategies that have worked for me and my clients is the MTR route, there's a robust hospital system in both NYC & LI that is always hiring contracted nurses for 3-6 months contracts.