I’d suggest checking out David Greene’s book Long Distance Real Estate Investing, he has great interview questions and tips for finding a PM out of state which I’ve used myself!

As far as contractors go, start looking up local ones and calling/interviewing, check out their job sites, and get an idea of their schedule for the next few months ahead.

Interview them before looking at places ask if they are used to working with investors. 

My suggestion is to interview at least 5, though 10 is better, different brokerages to find out what everyone offers and doesn't offer, and then make your choice.

Then you have the deal ready to rock and you interview GCs and get them started immediately.This also depends on how you plan to finance. 

It is time intensive, but gives you a good reference when you are interviewing 6-7 plumbers and getting bids. 

You should cold e-mail and cold-call professionals at real estate companies in your area to set up informal coffee chats and informational interviews but don't ask for a job and come with a list of questions.

I'd recommend interviewing a few and deciding who fits your needs best and you get along with.

This is essentially an interview.

I self manage my properties, make the repairs, interview tenants, etc.