FYI, I am in the education phase and scouting around resources.Below is the link to the DC area group.http://tractionreia.com/

Write down a list of questions and talking points that outline your goals and be open and honest with the brokers during the interview phase.

I'm still in the analysis paralysis phase, mostly because I've been looking for deals locally in Boston and have been more discouraged than anything else by the market here.

We have slowly almost phased our self out of working on other people homes as our cash flow has increased.

As far as little fixes that aren't critical, we've found tenants usually find some minor problems during their settling-in phase, and we know we'll be taking care of those to make them happy, but it's usually one trip to cover several minor problems.  

Definitely be sure to get all of the numbers down / information that you can on the property during your due diligence phase.

My neighbor law enforcement official said there are something like 8,000 "grows" in the county, but most of them are small, garage -based ops. these are getting phased out - I live in a former grow house, am currently rehabbing another, and about half the houses I evaluate were used as grows.I've had many conversations with real estate experts and others,  and there isn't a universal opinion of how legalization would impact the local economy.

I'm in the learning phase too, and this is a great resource for all your questions!

In the discovery phase the franchise director usually gives names and the phone of local franchisees you can call to hear the good and bad of owning one.      

Note: tell both the Realtor and the property managers up front that you are in the investigation phase and are not “buying” anything on this trip.