Learn a lot, have plain goals for your investments, spread your bets, ask experts for help, and get tips from the BiggerPockets group.

Here are some tips:1.

Ultimately, the decision to use an agent is up to you but the good ones are worth their weight in gold and can truly be a consultant for you.

Your local expertise is gold!

Climate control NRSF is typically between 2-5 fpp; while the non climate control old outdated facilities make up the balance (7-10 fpp) and tip the scales well beyond the 7’ pp rule of thumb. 

Is there anyone that is familiar with or at least gone through this process that can give me some tips and advice?

Quote from @Bradley Buxton: These are good tips. 

They will be filing my 1099 for me to the IRS.In general, what tips and recommendations do you have that I should keep in mind in my first year of renting, and for a first time, hands-off landlord?

What glitters on a spreadsheet isn't necessarily gold in reality.

My biggest tip I learned – Use the “search” function (the magnifying glass next to your profile icon) to search for your question BEFORE posting it on the forum.