@Drew Sygit  has a very nice description that will hold for basically all markets.. maybe he will see this and post his  ABCD model..

Here are some popular skiptracing platforms and websites that investors often use:TLOxp: This is a service by TransUnion and offers a comprehensive database to find detailed personal records.Spokeo: Useful for basic information and sometimes provides email addresses and phone numbers.Whitepages Pro (now Ekata): Offers identity verification data, including phone numbers, addresses, and more.BeenVerified: This service aggregates information from various sources, giving you phone numbers, email addresses, and other details.PeopleFinders: Similar to BeenVerified, it pulls from various sources and provides detailed reports on individuals.BatchSkipTracing: Designed specifically for real estate professionals.

I know these are basic rental type things but I with a full time job and young kids and my own primary home that needs a lot of attention it just all feels like a huge strain to do anything at all for the rentals.BUT, we have great interest rates on the mortgages, really good tenants, and the rentals won't always break even-- they will go up in value and in rent.

If you have a basic understanding of Excel and can use Yelp to find honest workers, you can manage 5-10 units by yourself in a couple of hours per month. 

Basically the outskirts of main cities.

You'll definitely want to prepare a "Schedule of Experience", which is basically a spreadsheet showing the deals you've done over the last 36 months or so.

As far as her being humiliated in front of her kids, well she should get it together and pay her rent, and her kids should understand that when you don't pay rent as agreed you get kicked out of your rented house.

So I don't follow CO STR stuff other than basic reading posts here and some other places as well.I hear you that we are talking about primary residence STRs but that can change just as fast as non occupied IMHO.

They will normally charge you for desk space, using their printer, support from them and their office staff, Etc....Then there are MLS fees, Lock Box fees, Continuing Education costs, and the basic costs of running your own business.

I am considering doing this deal with no agents on either side to save money (savings the seller would pass on to me) - my buyers agent actually suggested that when I explained the situation to her and that I really only needed basic transactional help.