We recommend you get management contracts from several PMCs and compare the services they cover and, more importantly, what they each DO NOT cover.

@Eric FicheraAlmost any market is landlord friendly, compared to NY.

We love the area, but not sure how the occupancy and return compares to other markets such as Gatlinburg. 

Compared to the 180+98 hours of training for licensing and first renewal of RE License in Texas.

And lastly, I search FunishedFinder listings nearby, find comparable properties, and track the listed rent for a few months (does it increase, decrease?).

I don't think you even need to be a general contractor or subcontractor to set up an account there.They have a cool warehouse Northwest of Chicago.Otherwise, Home Depot's Lifeproof floor is pretty nice too, but not sure how it compares in pricing to what you saw.

I love watching properties come together and refreshing spaces (especially comparing before and after pics.)

We do these type of agreements with our commercial clients that have 100s of units, boilers, chillers, RTUs, etc. where reliability is important and there are a lot of moving parts. 

What advice do you have for establishing a reliable local network when you’re not physically in the area?

When it comes down to it, let’s say that the child support income is less reliable than you initially thought, and you decide to evict a tenant and collect the balance due.