I work for a building materials company now and took their online game from Zero to very engaged in the past few years and it's been really fun.

The problem is we have so many mom and pop landlords and there is no central system to communicate new laws. 

Online platforms like Zillow, PropStream, and Auction.com are worth exploring, and don’t forget to check out local real estate groups for deals and partnerships.Since you’re in Racine, the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin and Milwaukee REIA are great resources for networking, finding contractors, and learning about funding opportunities.

I do SMS, cold call, mail, online, wholesalers, etc.

It took more time and back and forth communication than was needed, and compared poorly with other refinancings we have gone through.

Call a different number you found online associated with the same company, etc. 

If I am self managing my portfolio, what do I need to check/confirm, and what easily available tools are at my disposal (online, other) to help me do this? 

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

However, if you clearly communicated a $15K budget, I’d stick to that and ask them to discuss the overages with the contractor to find a resolution.As a side note, always try to maintain reserves for your properties.

So I would suggest keeping your STR property geographically close and doing as much as possible to keep your profit% high as possible.As far as the actual house you use, I would just say - be honest, be fair and strive for the best area, most amenities, cleanest house, best communication, and any other extras you can get.