In addition, Pittsburgh, PA is a similar market and has a very low barrier of entry.I work here in Pittsburgh as an agent working directly with investors every day.

Petscreening will ask the appropriate questions to ensure the applicant is not using a fake letter or registration purchased online.

Not the $5000 houses you read about online. 

@Tricia O'BrienI spoke with Chrissy from Moxie today, she said all the right things, 300 properties under management, team of 4, online payments, low fee for placing residents and reasonable monthly fee.

I was going to say On DMonte, which is listed, aside from keep dropping price, all the way to break-even point (mortgage balance) eventually there isn't much else you can do, but I just saw its showing pending online... so did you manage to get it in escrow?  

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

Yes several investors offer fixed second loan and heloc programs including one 100% online with no appraisal required, disbursement in 5-7 days. 

Build a team-Get a property manager to handle the daily stuff,and maybe even a local handyman in your chosen state.Use online platforms for rent payments, maintenance requests, and communication.Touch base with your property and team, build relationships with tenants.

You need an attorney.HELOCs are mostly an online application but because you state is a small local bank I GUESS Mom went in person and applied with a teller or the manager.

When you study this area in economic texts and in academic papers, there is quite a lot of govt intervention on behalf of all sides (tax code isn't 12,000 pages for no reason and it usually isn't helping the renters)Let The free market act as it normally does, there are more multifamily units coming online this year and next year than ever before in US history, despite rising insurance and property taxes and construction and labor costs, as the potential for profit is too juicy to ignore, but The developers and investors also bear the risk of loss.