At least prepare solid rent history showing how much you collected and if it was paid on time. 

Again, be prepared to call A LOT

Major corporation's leave all the time so be prepared!   

Well, none of those things are action - they may be worthwhile preparation to take action, but they're not action itself. 

Additionally, I am financially prepared to sustain hard money loan payments for up to two years, which is realistic for resolving occupancy issues in NYC.

Prepare a list of 10 key questions, such as:How long have you been managing properties?

One thing that we were not prepared for was the new lender required that our tenants have a signed lease agreement before we could move forward with the new house.

Time is critical, especially in competitive markets.Clear Offer Terms - Present a firm offer with terms that make the seller feel confident that you can close fast, with minimal contingencies or proof of funds.Due Diligence Preparation - Have your financing lined up and know your repair/rehab costs in advance so you can move quickly without second-guessing.

There will be lots of learning as you go so be prepared to bumps in the road and learn from every experience/situation 

I’m fully prepared that there may be unforeseen costs, but I can’t even estimate properly for your standard cosmetic rehab… have you walked through the property?