Almost never the MLS.This sounds like a common story of out-of-state investors buying up class C with local third party management. 

Best case scenario I have a good experience with all 3 providers and worst case none of them stand out. 

Quote from @Deborah Lee: Software is a common question on BiggerPockets.

What virtually all these people have in common is they know less than $hit about RE.  

A more likely scenario is you will be a landlord with a tenant, and you will be responsible for the upkeep on the rental as well as your own unit Then when your renter moves out or you evict the renter for non payment of rent you will need to pay to have the unit turned unless you can do this type of work yourself.

However, in the above scenario I would be owning the property but through an LLC with a few other investors.

Is it common to get a partner if you plan to house hack?

For those price points around the 2% is common.

It is a common theme in the area and less competition is making it harder to keep prices down, but I'll definitely be shopping around. 

Obviously HOA fees are usually pretty outrageous when compared to properties where there is no HOA or it's a typical SFR neighborhood with typical HOA dues for things like cutting the grass in common areas, or servicing the neighborhood pool.