Finally, at cessation of my contracting team to present SFR rehab applications, these could be assigned to the Apt inventory in lieu, so I'm not concerned about manpower.I'm just looking for some solid real-estate-oriented "getting in the game" advice from someone with the empirical substance ease my entry.

I have had a hard time finding someone that is reliable and detail oriented.

Sorry for the sideways orientation.

Example I got a rug that was customer return and to be honest the store wanted it gone.

yea...i have to say a van is not very manly, but when you pull up to a Wisconsin Home Depot with a light drizzle in March, you will be glad that you can stick 35 sheets of drywall, lumber, nail guns, compressor, tools, etc in the back of your minivan, and its snug as bug in a rug, and out of the elements. 

One rental prop does not a real portfolio make, so focus on finding a provider with the right numbers and service-oriented attitude first, build with them till you have a budding portfolio of 3-5 props or more, and then see where else you might be interested in investing.I also noticed your comment to Sharad and I would caution you about trying to save money by going with a 'national turnkey provider'.

The area over here is amazing and very family oriented, but expensive.

I do my own remodels, I'm slow but very good and detail oriented and save a ton of money when I do the work myself. 

There are a lot of reasons why people fail in this business -- and they are the same reasons that people fail in other businesses:- They didn't know enough going in- They were under-capitalized- They didn't have a plan (or at least not a realistic one)- They didn't execute well- They didn't devote enough time/energy to the business- They weren't detail oriented enough- They didn't manage well- Etc...Real estate is no different than any other businesses -- some people approach it correctly and do well; other people treat it lightly or don't have the raw skills necessary to be sucessful -- and fail.

Fabrics should be performance grade and area rugs poly or wool blends with low piles.