It took a lot longer than it should have as our first contractor swindled us about 20k, but we learned alot about what not to do with contractors, and I got a crash course in cnstruction as i ended uo hiring my own crew and did the work myslef.

It's those maniacs that buy homes cash via quit claim deed off of craigslist that really get screwed.Make sure your property manager is a licensed real estate brokerage.Google Clayton Morris scam and/or Morris Invest fraud for a cautionary tale of what not to do when buying turnkey real estateUnderstand you can not eliminate all risk, only mitigate it.

I am also to dumb to know what not to ask. 

For example, on a small scale I could buy a $500 visa debit gift card with a pin (at office max or staples using a credit card that gives 5% cash back to business owners and then pay contractor with gift card (of course this would be costly because it cost around $7 per $500 and the contractor would probably be annoyed getting $50,000 or what not in $500 gift cards).

You can get the plumbing parts line drains and whatnot at local plumbing supply houses but they may not have same finish or not be exactly what you want or need.

(After all, that's pretty much what they do, calling owners and what not). 

Baltimore has it's own culture and whatnot and is not really considered part of the DMV (the DC metro area).My boss at my main job lives in Baltimore City and works in DC.

With todays market I would not have cash flowed unfortunately but would reduce my monthly living expense greatly while building some equity and what not.

Also those experts, or the municipality, may know of projects or what not that may have an impact that may actually drive up appreciation in that area. 

I've heard different recommendations on what or what not to include.Some people recommend including you business letterhead and so that follows that you identify yourself as an investor and your company name, address, etc.I'm use to yellow letters where you are trying to portray that you're a neighbour down the street interested in their home and not a big bad investor looking to gouge them.