OP was concerned about having his money being spent on a dream vacation.

My biggest concern is finding the right contractors.

I have concerns about appraisals coming in where I'd like them.

I'm trying to do the right thing here but am concerned I will get screwed by either or both and am very frustrated.

Tenant friendly state shouldn’t be a concern IMO, just screen tenants well, be professional and buy in a good location and you probably won’t ever have to deal with the courts.

I just sat through a lengthy pitch presentation for Pace's gator method which I left with raised eyebrows and concerns about Bigger Pockets putting their stamp of approval on Pace's brand.

I'm concerned about the problem of finding contractors that can work with this situation.

What topics specifically do you contribute on concerning Real Estate? 

There are debt to income ratios to be concerned about as far as buying properties - but that will depend on your income and other debts.  

Networking with other investors and seeking advice from financial advisors can provide valuable insights and help you avoid common pitfalls.Keep an eye on your financial health by maintaining an emergency fund and avoiding over-leveraging.