Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

🏦To get to the point where you can avoid personal guarantees, you’ll need to build your business credit over time:Open trade lines in your business’s name (utilities, vendors, etc.).Make sure you’re reporting payments to business credit agencies like D&B.Keep your debt-to-income ratio low and maintain good cash flow.It doesn’t really matter if it’s an LLC or S-Corp—what matters most is establishing the business as a strong, creditworthy entity.But yeah, in the early stages, personal guarantees are almost unavoidable.

I send a message asking if everything is good with the house and we leave a nice treat in the fridge from a local German bakery.So after 10 years we get a response like " The house is beautiful we appreciate the attention to detail and thank you so much for the treat"This sets the stage for a 5 star review.

A 2 stage is like a pitcher with a fast ball and change up.

Most PM software won't be worth the cost at this point depending on your budget.At this stage, a good ole Excel/Google Sheet will do for keeping up with your income/expenses.

What would you recommend for people in the early stages?

As I have been building my foundational knowledge for investing, I am at the stage where I am also wanting to keep up with the market data that, so I may better understand the specifics of the market of my choice.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

The rest of developed world was in various stages of disaster and incapable to truly compete. 

Since I am rehabbing, I am not at that stage yet, but since you have 8 you probably have a lot of experience with Decatur tenants.