The website 51west.properties also scores low on scam advisor ("owner is using a service to hide their identity, high number of suspicious websites on the server, registrar has a high % of spammers and fraud sites, website is (very) young, website appears to be hosted by a company with a bad reputation", all according to https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/51west.properties...)Trust your instincts. 

Use this amortization table, from a reputable website:http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/amor...Ignore the difference in layout/presentation - what's important is that the ending balance for each month in their table matches mine exactly.

Identify your emergency suppliers.

Reputation and referrals matter.I invest out of state, and I’ve been burned by bad contractors before—it’s a fast way to lose money.

I learned the hard way that going with Moen/Delta/American Standard, well known reputable brands for showers & faucets.

I’m having issues with them as they’ve grown & only worried about their  reputation & anyway to make extra money.

I would suggest to contact a reputable PM in the area to get the real feel.

Reputation on Facebook does matter. 

(Only if you are SERIOUS about real estate as your wealth/career vehicle.)Make sure you join a brokerage that is large, established, and has a reputation for top performance and excellent training.Once you learn the basics and get out into the field to see the state of the market, you'll learn the price points and be able to know a good/great deal when you stumble across it.I have made some of my best (most lucrative) buys from meeting with a seller who wants to list, and when we discussed the price, I knew it fit my parameters, so I bought it! 

Two reputable termite treatment companies have recommended that my townhouse and all the others in our row of 6 townhouses need to be fumigated together.The management company and the HOA board of directors have been aware of the termite infestation in numerous townhouses in the community for some months.