Can't comment on the Houston market, but we use property managers both in NYC and Raleigh - NYC as we're not there full time and Raleigh because the demands of my full-time job are too much for me to waste time self-managing.In both areas, I've gone through a process of interviewing several property management firms which has been a combination of me getting a "gut feeling" for how they work and getting specific questions answered. 

For PM, same as you would normally, word of mouth, ask around, meet/interview, and pray. 

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

That's a nice turnover period, though I think you should remember all of this hassle and start interviewing other property managers.  

Odor is no longer a serious problem.Charge a pet interview fee and a monthly pet fee.

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

Define what makes a good one and what makes a bad one and start to interview them. 

If you're in a job where you can offer your time in a partnership in exchange for someone putting the loan in their name that might get you to where you want to go.Partnerships can be amazing, but like looking for a good deal you will likely need to "interview" many before finding the right one.

Maybe @Joshua Dorkin and @Brandon Turner could interview you for a podcast and we could all hear how you pick your projects, where you live while doing them and how you go into this niche.

Hey BP!I have a meeting with an investor I met over the weekend who can offer general contractor services. Since he understands the business from the investors perspective I am hopeful he could be a good addition to m...