, and lived in an RV in a relative's driveway for two years getting my feet back underneath me.

Now, you spend 5.5 months worth of rent just getting out from underneath taxes and HOA??!?!!?

The one in the middle underneath the porch is going to likely be a support for floor joists on the bottom, less important (but still important).

One of the things to be certain you address is contamination of soil and water. 

I need to get my feet underneath me before I can run swiftly

More than likely you will need to be a Broker as many Brokers(An agent has to be sponsored by a Broker) do not want agents underneath them engaging in property management due to the high liability

If it was a major spill over a long period of time, you are looking at serious costs $25,000 to $30,000.Essentially, it's heavy equipment to remove the contaminated soil, treatment of the area, testing. 

So il pretty flexible.

Myself and my handyman who helps can mow something like 1/3 acre in maybe 10-15 minutes, so if someone gets behind, it's not that much of a big deal.Plus, being a hands on landlord, it's a great opportunity to get onsite and have a poke around outside, make sure the property is ok, no leaks underneath, see how the property is being kept, and best of all - you have permission from the tenant to go onto the property.

We backed out of the deal due to environmental concerns regarding contaminated soil from a UST that was taken out back in 1987.