I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker living in Colorado Springs, CO.

Social media makes it look like everyone is an expert, but we all know that is false.

@Andrea LeeRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

@Kenneth P FordRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

I do plan to buy a property with 30% to 50% off and have it "acts" as a margin of safety.

.: I get what you are trying to do and protect, but this is a very slippery slope to get into....In the veterinary field we see this all the time....upset clients going on social media and trying to destroy vets and clinics..... and a lot of the time post complete bullsh$t and inaccurate accounts of the situation.

Initial inquiry (FF, email, social media)2.

And in many cases this may be warranted as health and safety issues may be present.  

But if you look into their marketing, socials, Youtube, IG, past sales record on Zillow and stuff you can see if they really are in the investment space or if they work with traditional homeowners.

Common utilities paid by the landlord will be similar if not the same; standard services (extermination, changing filters, snow removal, fire safety inspections etc.) will cost the same.